It is frustrating to keep rewriting your article, especially when you’re trying to save time with ChatGPT. The good news is you don’t need to pull out your hair trying to figure out what you’re doing wrong — you can direct ChatGPT to create content that sounds like you from the get-go!
Keep reading to discover how small changes in your ChatGPT prompts can lead to big improvements in content creation.
Tip #1: Have Your Ideal Structure Ready
Spoiler alert: ChatGPT doesn’t always give you a sensible and concise article structure. It often serves up overlapping sections and header names that could use a serious trim!
So what do you do?
Create your ideal article structure. You can do this by:
- Scour websites that discuss that same topic
- Jot down anything you want to include in the article
- Stick to the ideal format or layout that your style guide recommends
Tip #2: Round Up Your Sources
Another thing not to trust ChatGPT with? The factualness of the information it provides — just ask the two lawyers who were fined $5,000 for presenting fake cases generated by ChatGPT!
So, while ChatGPT might lend a hand by giving you sources or citations, never trust them! Instead, talk to experts and research and use credible sources like academic journals and news reports, to name a few.
Tip#2 Set A Clear and Detailed Prompt
Your prompt plays a huge role in the quality of the response you’ll get.
If you provide a vague prompt, you’re likely to get responses that miss the mark. But if you give ChatGPT instructions that are as clear as a sunny day, the results are more aligned with your expectations.
Let’s look at examples of a good and bad prompt:
Bad prompt: “Write me an article about technology.”
Why is it bad?: Well, the prompt is way too general. Is it about the latest gadgets? AI advancements? Or maybe something about social media’s impact on society? Plus, it does not specify the tone, style, and other requirements that will guide ChatGPT in generating an article that sounds like you.
Good prompt: “You are a finance news writer from one of the largest newspapers in the United States. You will write a news report about the impact of AI-generated content on students. Consistently use a neutral formal tone with an active voice from the introduction to the conclusion. The intended audience is content marketing professionals.”
Why is it good?: This prompt is detailed. It gives clear instructions about the topic, narrows it down to a specific sector, and even includes the type of information you’re looking for. ChatGPT also knows who you are writing it for!
Here’s a TLDR key prompts to consider. Remember, the more direction you provide, the more ChatGPT can provide a high-quality content.
| Key Prompts | Explanation |
| Readability | Be clear about how easy or complex you want the language to be. If you’re aiming for a broad audience, you’ll want a more accessible tone. For an academic piece and formal writing, you should use more technical language instead. |
| Tone | Specify the tone—should it be formal, conversational, persuasive, or humorous? The right tone ensures your writing feels appropriate for its purpose. |
| Intended Audience | Define your target audience. Are you writing for experts in the field, beginners, or the general public? Knowing your audience helps the AI match the level of detail and language complexity. |
| Length | Give the ideal content length for your essay. For example, your prompt can read, “Write a 500-word article…” or “Provide a 1,000-word analysis…” to give the AI a clear idea of the article length. |
Tip #3: Always Review the Output
While ChatGPT is impressive, the first output isn’t always a home run.
So, how do you check if it’s in the right direction? Here’s how:
- Evaluate the article structure: Is there a natural flow between sections? Is there any section that should be added or removed? Cross-reference ChatGPT’s structure with the one you’ve created on your own.
- Verify any claims ChatGPT used: ChatGPT likes to throw in questionable citations or references, especially when you ask it to back up any claims. So, go back to your sources list and verify.
- Identify areas for improvement: Whether it be the style, the tone, or the readability, the output should match what you ask it to do.
You also want to check the AI content for perplexity and burstiness.
Tip #4: Refine Your Prompt
If you are unhappy with the initial output, don’t lose hope just yet! Refining your prompt can make the rewriting process less chaotic.
For instance, if there are words or phrases that you know deep in your heart you wouldn’t ever use, you can ask: “Avoid formal words like ‘thus’ or ‘therefore.'”
Pro Tip: The key to maximizing ChatGPT is detailed, well-thought-out prompts.
Tip #5: Give ChatGPT A Sample of Your Own Style
Here’s the thing: this tip is not just about copying and pasting your work and hoping for the best.
You need to guide ChatGPT in recognizing the patterns and tone in your writing. A great way to do this is by asking ChatGPT to analyze your text first.
For example, you can prompt ChatGPT like this:
“Analyze the following writing sample for tone, sentence structure, and vocabulary. Then, use that analysis to rewrite the next piece of content in the same style.”
Another trick that works best for me is to break down the parts of your writing that you care about most.
If you tend to write in short, punchy paragraphs or love adding humor, say so in your prompt. Something like:
“I like to keep my writing light and conversational, with humor and short paragraphs. Make sure the rewrite follows that tone.”
Tip #6: Edit, Edit, and Edit
Even after refining your prompt and getting a solid draft from ChatGPT, don’t hit publish just yet.
Usually, AI writes in a straight line. It predicts the next word based on patterns and often misses out on the sparkle that makes writing come out alive.
People, on the other hand, write sporadically with flair and personality. So, if your AI draft feels a little boring, punch it up with a well-placed idiom and a dash of humor, or mix short, snappy sentences with longer, flowing ones.
Stay True to Yourself!
Whether for summarizing or helping with writer’s block, we can all agree ChatGPT is useful for many professionals. But expecting it to match your writing style without even knowing you will only end up in disappointment! And here’s our last tip: it’s your creativity that makes your writing stand out.