HomeCasa Good and bad prompt examples
Eight comparisons of real prompts for text, code, image and video, explaining what fails in the bad version and what the good one improves.
The fastest way to learn is by comparing. In each example you will see a weak prompt, an improved version and what changed.
1. Email
Bad
Write an email to my boss asking for vacation.
Good
Write a short email (max 100 words) to my manager asking for vacation from August 4 to 15. I lead project X, which we deliver on July 28, and Laura can cover any issues. Professional and friendly tone. End by suggesting we discuss it at Monday's meeting.
What changed: dates, a reason to say yes, a solution to the objection and tone.
2. Summary
Bad
Summarize this.
Good
Summarize the following report in 5 points for the leadership team, who have 2 minutes to read it. Highlight required decisions and risks. Then add one sentence with the main recommendation.
What changed: audience, available time and what to prioritize.
3. Code
Bad
My code doesn't work, fix it.
Good
This Python function should return the average of a list, but it raises ZeroDivisionError on empty lists. Fix it so it returns None in that case, add type hints and a pytest test.
What changed: the exact error, the expected behavior and what to deliver.
4. Learning
Bad
Explain blockchain.
Good
Explain what a blockchain is as if I were a high school student, with an everyday analogy, a real use case and 3 common misconceptions. Max 300 words.
5. Image
Bad
A cute cat.
Good
Photograph of a ginger cat sleeping on a sunny windowsill, soft morning light, plants in the background, shallow depth of field, warm cozy colors, close-up
What changed: image type, specific subject, light, setting and composition.
6. Video
Bad
A video of a futuristic city with flying cars, people, explosions and a talking robot.
Good
Wide aerial shot slowly flying over a futuristic city at dusk, flying cars moving between glass towers, warm sunset light reflecting on the buildings, calm cinematic atmosphere
What changed: one shot and one main action, camera movement and light.
7. Marketing
Bad
Make an ad for my product.
Good
Write 3 copy variants for an Instagram ad for a mineral sunscreen for kids. Audience: parents aged 30-45 who care about ingredients. Each variant: headline of max 40 characters, body of max 125 characters and a CTA. Do not make medical claims.
8. Decisions
Bad
Should I change jobs?
Good
Help me decide between staying in my current job or accepting an offer. First ask me 5 questions to understand my priorities, then build a weighted decision matrix with my answers.
The common pattern
In every case, the good version answers: what, for whom, with which data, within which limits and in which format. Also check the common mistakes.