How to ask AI for what you want: the simple formula

The number one reason people give up on AI is: “I tried it and the answer was a bit… meh.” Nine times out of ten, the fix isn’t a better AI. It’s a better request.

Jargon buster: The thing you type to the AI is often called a prompt. It just means “your request”.

Talk to it like a new colleague

Imagine you’ve just hired a brilliant assistant. It’s their first day. They’re clever and quick, but they know nothing about you, your work or what you like.

You wouldn’t say “write an email”. You’d say who it’s to, what it’s about, and how you want it to sound. AI is exactly the same.

The formula: W.H.A.T.

A simple way to remember what to include:

• W: Who you are (and who it’s for). “I run a small florist. This is for a regular customer.”
• H: Help needed. The actual task. “Write a reply to her complaint about a late delivery.”
• A: All the details. The facts it needs. “The van broke down. We’ll deliver tomorrow by 10am and refund the delivery fee.”
• T: Tone and type. How it should sound and look. “Warm and apologetic, not grovelling. Under 100 words.”

You don’t need all four every time. But when an answer disappoints, one of the four is usually missing.

Before and after

Before:

Write a birthday message for my dad.

Result: generic and a bit cheesy.

After:

I want to write a birthday card message for my dad's 70th. He's
a retired engineer, loves gardening and terrible puns, and we're
close but not very gushy as a family. Give me three short options,
each under 40 words, one of which includes a gardening pun.

Result: three options that actually sound like your family.

The secret: keep talking

The first answer is a first draft, not a final answer. The real skill is the follow-up:

• “Make it shorter.”
• “Less formal, more like how I’d actually talk.”
• “Good, but take out the second paragraph.”
• “Give me three different versions.”
• “What questions would you need answered to make this better?”

That last one is a superpower. If you’re not sure what details to give, ask the AI what it needs to know.

Five handy phrases to keep

1. “Explain it like I’m new to this.” For anything technical.
2. “Ask me questions first.” It’ll interview you before writing.
3. “Give me options.” Choosing is easier than creating.
4. “Use British English.” Otherwise you may get “color” and “organize”.
5. “What have I missed?” For checking your plans and ideas.

Try it now

Pick something real you need to do this week, and write a request using W.H.A.T. Then ask for at least one change. That’s the whole skill, and it gets easier every time.

Want lots more examples? See 25 everyday things to ask AI.