I’m struggling to get really good results from ChatGPT because I’m not sure what the best prompts are. I’ve seen people get amazing outputs, but mine aren’t as creative or helpful. Can anyone suggest top ChatGPT prompts that work well for different situations? I need ideas and examples to improve my use of the tool.
Honestly, most ppl just try “write me a cool story” or “summarize this article” and expect magic, but ChatGPT needs a little more hand-holding for real fireworks. Try being super specific—like, instead of “give me meal ideas,” say, “give me 5 quick, healthy recipes that use only chicken, broccoli, and rice, are under 500 calories, and take less than 30 min.” For writing, ask “write a 200-word dramatic monologue from the perspective of a villain who loves puppies”—weirdly detailed prompts get fun results. Also, asking it to “brainstorm unique marketing ideas for a bakery in a small mountain town” leads to better creativity. If you want humor, ask, “give me 10 sarcastic responses to someone asking why I’m still single.” It loves specifics, roles (“act as a resume expert and critique my resume in bullet points”), and clear format requests (“list pros/cons in a table”). People get amazing outputs ‘cause they treat ChatGPT like an intern who really needs a crystal-clear brief. TL;DR: The best prompts are vivid, detailed, and define exactly what style, format, and level of creativity you want. Oh, and don’t be scared to critique and say “try again, but make it funnier/shorter/weirder.” It actually listens.
Alright, @chasseurdetoiles makes some sharp points about going hyper-specific, but honestly, sometimes that just makes ChatGPT spin its wheels overthinking or, worse, giving you this convoluted answer that’s weirdly focused but totally misses the vibe you wanted. Don’t get me wrong, being specific helps, but there’s absolutely a place for broader, open-ended prompts if you want to see it get creative—like the AI equivalent of a jazz solo (sometimes great, sometimes a car crash). Personally, I’ve gotten some hilarious results just asking “what’s the worst advice you could give for a job interview?” or “explain TikTok to a medieval knight.” Not super-detailed, but it gives the bot some room for fun.
If you want actual prompts that aren’t just copy-paste, try playing with prompts that force it to think sideways—“debate both sides: is cereal a soup?” or “rewrite this news headline as if it’s a dramatic Shakespearean tragedy.” If you’re after learning, I’ll sometimes go, “teach me about quantum physics like I’m 12, using only food analogies.” And don’t sleep on structure—asking it to fill in Q&A, scripts, fake interviews, or obituaries for inanimate objects (write an obituary for my favorite mug) shakes up the format.
I’m a fan of letting it riff, then going “nah, try again but be grumpier/snarkier/simpler.” Basically, don’t stress about ‘best’ prompts—think of it like improv. Sometimes you gotta toss it something weird and just roll with whatever comes back, instead of over-engineering and killing the creativity. Everyone overthinks these prompts, but half the time being loose with your input gets cooler responses than treating it like a legal contract. YMMV, though.
Let’s get real with what works and doesn’t for ChatGPT prompts. @caminantenocturno is right that looseness can sometimes lead to wonderfully surprising results (the ‘explain TikTok to a medieval knight’ prompt is pure gold), while @chasseurdetoiles’s precision approach definitely lands strong, actionable output. But there’s a bigger picture: sometimes neither floor nor ceiling works—what you actually want is a “prompt sandwich.”
Here’s how to construct that:
- Start broad: Give context, vibe, or tone—“I want a creative idea for a housewarming gift.”
- Add meat: Then inject just enough specifics—“make it under $25, ideally something DIY, for a friend who hates houseplants.”
- End with flair: Ask for a format—“list three ideas in a table, include a joke for each.”
The real win: you’re steering ChatGPT but not choking off its creativity. Pure specificity (per @chasseurdetoiles) can lead to dry outputs that miss the fun, while pure looseness (@caminantenocturno) sometimes ends up with rambling or irrelevant stuff.
As for tools to aid readability, the ’ stands out (pro: boosts structure and SEO-readiness; con: sometimes overcomplicates things for one-off, casual chats). It’s way better for recurring, formatted requests than competitors, though it can be a bit much if you just want quick banter or off-the-cuff jokes.
So, overall—don’t pick just one lane! Both being detailed and allowing wriggle room is what takes your ChatGPT prompt from basic to brilliant. Give it creative fences, not prison walls.