5Ws + H
AI says: “Write a thank-you email to a teacher for helping with homework.” Question: Which WHO is involved and who is the audience?
Who is the student writing the email and the teacher receiving it?
Q: “Write about technology.”
Task: Fix this prompt by adding 1 constraint (any type) to make this prompt more useful and name which type of constraint pillar you used.
Sample Answer:
“Write a 150-word blog post about technology.”
Specification (length)
Q: What type of constraint is in this prompt?
Summarize the benefits of travel in exactly 75 words.
✔ Specification (length constraint = exactly 75 words)
AI says: “The capital of France is Paris.” What was the prompt?
“What is the capital of France?
Chain of thought in AI is like what at McDonald’s?
Reading the menu before ordering.
AI says: “Summarize the key points of the quarterly sales report in 3 sentences.” Question: Which WHAT is being asked of the AI?
What is summarizing the quarterly sales report into 3 sentences?
Q: “Tell me a story.”
Task: Fix this prompt by adding 2 constraints (any type) to make this prompt more specific and name which type of constraint pillar you used.
Sample Answer:
“Tell me a bedtime story for a 5 year old in a playful tone.”
Specification (length + tone/style)
Q: What type of constraint is in this prompt?
Write a short article about exercise for college students, but do not mention sports.
✔ Boundary (avoid mentioning sports)
AI says: “Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom…” What was the prompt?
“Write the beginning of a fairy tale.”
What happens if AI skips chain of thought, like skipping steps at McDonald’s?
You might yell “Fries!” but forget the burger and drink.
AI says: “Plan a study schedule for the next 2 weeks to prepare for final exams.” Question: Which WHEN is specified in the prompt?
When is the schedule needed? For the next 2 weeks leading up to final exams.
Q: “Explain gravity.”
Task: Fix this prompt by adding a format constraint and an audience constraint to this prompt.
Sample Answer:
“Explain gravity to middle school students in 3 bullet points.” (Specification: format + audience)
Q: What type of constraint is in this prompt?
Explain gravity in under 120 words, in a way a middle school student can understand.
✔ Specification (length constraint = under 120 words, audience constraint = middle school student)
AI says: “1. Wake up early. 2. Eat breakfast. 3. Go for a run.” What was the prompt?
"Give me a morning routine in a numbered list.”
How is chain of thought like ordering food in the drive-thru?
You do it step by step: speaker → payment → pickup.
AI says: “Create a social media post for LinkedIn about a new company product launch.” Question: Which WHERE or context is specified in the prompt?
Where will this content be used? On LinkedIn, as a professional social media post.
Q: “Plan my weekend.”
Task: Fix this prompt by adding a boundary constraint and a length constraint.
Sample Answer:
“Plan a weekend itinerary in Rochester, NY in under 100 words, but do not include any restaurants.” (Boundary + Specification)
Q: What type of constraint is in this prompt?
Describe travel as if you’re a pirate convincing your crew to take a vacation. Limit your answer to 5 bullet points.
✔ Specification: (tone/style constraint = pirate persona, format constraint = 5 bullet points)
AI says: “Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the data analyst position…” What was the prompt?
“Write a professional job application email for a data analyst position.”
If math is a Happy Meal, what is chain of thought?
The process of opening the box, finding each piece, and then eating it.
AI says: “Write a 200-word persuasive paragraph explaining why schools should implement more STEM classes, using a formal tone and bullet points for examples.” Question: Which WHY and HOW are included in the prompt?
Why: To persuade readers that schools should implement more STEM classes.
How: Structured in a formal tone, 200 words, with bullet points for examples.
Q: “Write about health.”
Task: Fix this prompt by adding all types of constraints - boundary, specification (length, audience, tone/style), quality control.
Sample Answer:
“Write a 200-word persuasive article for college students about the benefits of walking for health. Use an encouraging tone. Do not mention running. If the first draft is longer than 200 words, refine it until it matches the word count.” (Boundary + Specification + Quality Control)
Q: What type of constraint is in this prompt?
Write a 100-word persuasive email to college students about the benefits of biking to campus. Use a motivational tone. Do not mention cars. If the first draft is longer than 100 words, refine it to meet the word count.
✔ Boundary (don’t mention cars)
✔ Specification (motivation tone, 100 word count, format = persuasive email)
✔ Quality Control (iterated until exactly 100 words)
AI says: “Step 1: Multiply 12 × 8 = 96. Step 2: Add 5. Final Answer = 101.” What was the prompt?
“Solve 12 × 8 + 5 and show your work step by step.”
Why do we sometimes hide AI’s chain of thought, like in McDonald’s?
Because nobody needs to see the whole kitchen mess—just the finished meal!