How to prompt — AI Family Cheat Sheet

The basics

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Explain like I'm not an expert

Use when: any topic that feels over your head

Explain [topic] to me like I'm smart but have never studied this.

- Start with the one-sentence version.
- Then give me the three things I should actually understand.
- Then a short example from real life.

Skip the jargon unless you define it.

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Make this clearer

Use when: any time you've written something and aren't sure it lands

Here's something I wrote:

[paste your text]

The audience is [who]. The goal is [what you want them to do or feel].

Tell me, honestly:
1. What's confusing?
2. What's missing?
3. What could I cut?
Then give me a tighter version.

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The 'help me decide' prompt

Use when: when you're stuck between options

I'm trying to decide between:
- Option A: [describe]
- Option B: [describe]
- (Option C: ...)

What I care about: [list 2-4 things — cost, time, peace of mind, etc.]
My situation: [1-2 sentences about constraints — kids, job, budget, etc.]

For each option:
- The honest case FOR it
- The honest case AGAINST it
- Who it's wrong for
Then tell me which one to consider first and why — but don't sugarcoat it.

For communication

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The hard email

Use when: touchy conversations, declining things, asking for stuff

Help me write an email/message. Here's the situation:

[2-4 sentences of context]

I want to: [what's the actual goal — get a yes? decline gracefully? buy time?]
Tone: warm but clear. No corporate-speak. Sounds like me, not a template.

Write three versions:
1. Short and direct
2. Warmer and more relational
3. Most diplomatic

Then ask me what's closest and we'll refine.

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The 'what should I have asked?' prompt

Use when: after a doctor visit, meeting, school conference

I just had a [doctor visit / meeting / school conference] about:

[paste your notes or describe in 5-6 sentences]

Tell me:
1. What questions I should have asked but probably didn't
2. What I should follow up on in the next week
3. Any red flags worth a second opinion

For thinking

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Devil's advocate

Use when: before any important decision

I'm about to [decision or plan]. Here's why I think it's a good idea:

[your reasoning]

Now: be a thoughtful skeptic. Don't be contrarian for its own sake. What's the strongest case that I'm wrong? What am I likely missing? What would I regret in a year?

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Stress-test my plan

Use when: any time you're about to commit time/money to something

Here's my plan: [describe]

Pretend you're a friend who's seen 100 plans like this. List, honestly:
1. The 3 biggest risks
2. The 3 cheapest things I can do this week to de-risk
3. Anything I haven't even thought to ask about

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Find the question behind the question

Use when: when you're stuck and don't know why

I keep getting stuck on [topic / decision / problem]. Here's everything I think I know:

[ramble freely — 5–10 sentences]

What's the question I'm actually trying to answer? What am I avoiding? Ask me 3 follow-up questions before answering.

For learning

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Teach me, then test me

Use when: any skill or topic you want to actually retain

Teach me [topic] in 4 short lessons. After each lesson:
1. Give me a 1-question check to make sure I got it
2. Wait for my answer
3. Tell me if I'm on track or what I missed

Start with lesson 1.

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Translate jargon

Use when: legal docs, medical reports, contracts, school notices

Here's a [contract / report / letter / page]:

[paste]

Translate it into plain English. Then tell me:
- What it actually says
- What it's asking me to do (if anything)
- What I should look out for
- What I should ask if I'm signing or agreeing to it

For when you're feeling lost

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The 'I have no idea where to start' prompt

Use when: overwhelming projects, big life things

I'm trying to [goal]. I have no idea where to start. Here's what I know about my situation:

[5-6 sentences]

Don't give me a giant plan. Give me:
1. The one thing I should do this week (small enough that I'll actually do it)
2. Why that's the right first move
3. What I should figure out next, after I do it

Next stop

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