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Write a pre-read summary for a named board chair who dislikes jargon

  • For Executives
  • You practice Saying who it's for
  • Time about 5 minutes
  • Level Intermediate

About this exercise

Write a summary of the board materials for the chair, Elaine Frost, who reads on paper and dislikes jargon. Plain text, under 140 words. The first sentence gives the one decision she is asked to make. Then exactly 3 lines starting with a dash covering results, risk and cash, each with one number from the notes. Do not use the terms ARR, EBITDA or runway, and end with the page number where the decision paper starts.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Burying the decision. The AI starts with performance and leaves the ask for the end. Try: Say: "First sentence: the one decision she is asked to make."
  • Using jargon. The AI writes ARR, EBITDA and runway. Try: Say: "Do not use ARR, EBITDA or runway; use plain words."
  • Using the old growth number. The AI says 15%. Try: Say: "Use the corrected 12%."
  • Missing the page pointer. The AI ends with 'Let me know'. Try: Say: "End with the page number where the decision paper starts."
  • Markdown. The AI bolds headings. Try: Say: "Plain text, dash lines only."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each line: "each line under 25 words."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each part instead, for example: "each line under 12 words."

What a strong prompt includes

  • Names the reader
  • Decision first
  • Three lines
  • Bans jargon
  • Ends with page

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