The Right Way to Write a Prompt in ChatGPT 5
If you have ever been frustrated by vague, unhelpful, or inaccurate AI answers, the problem usually is not the AI. It is the prompt. The way you frame your request determines the clarity, accuracy, and usefulness of the response.
Here is a breakdown of how to write prompts that actually deliver results in GPT-5.

1. Role
Start by assigning the AI a role. Do not just say “recommend hikes.” Instead, say:
“Act as an expert travel guide focused on recommending lesser-known hikes.”
This gives the AI context for how to frame the answer: professional, knowledgeable, and curated.
2. Task
Clearly state what you want done. The task should be specific and outcome-focused, not vague. Example:
“Identify and present the top 3 medium-length hikes within a two-hour drive of San Francisco.”
3. Context
Provide boundaries, exclusions, and priorities. This is what keeps the AI from wandering into irrelevant or obvious answers. Example:
- Exclude extremely popular tourist spots
- Prioritize accuracy and verified hike names
- Highlight unique qualities like scenery or remoteness
4. Reasoning
Tell the AI how to think. Should it cross-check sources? Internally validate options? Optimize for clarity? Adding reasoning steps ensures the output is both correct and reliable.
5. Output Format
Define the way you want the answer presented. Do you want a list? A table? A short summary? If you do not specify, the AI will guess. Example:
“Return the results as a properly formatted Markdown table with columns for name, address, distance, duration, and summary.”
6. Stop Conditions
Finally, tell the AI when the job is done. Without stop conditions, you might get too much or too little information. Example:
“Task is complete when three verified, unique hikes are presented in the specified format.”
The Bottom Line
A great AI prompt is like a well-written project brief. It gives role, task, context, reasoning, format, and completion rules. Miss any one of these, and the answer will likely fall short. Include them all, and GPT-5 becomes not just a chatbot, but a precision tool for problem-solving.
