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Get a straight answer on two summer options

Practice: Giving the right context. About 5 minutes.

About this exercise

You're choosing between two summer options, and you want a straight answer, not 'it depends'. Your two priorities: save $1,200 toward a car by Aug 20, and get there on your own, since you can't drive until your license comes July 15 and your parents work days. Get a one-line pick first, then at most 3 bullets of reasons tied to those priorities, under 70 words, plain text. The AI only knows your priorities if your prompt says them.

Common mistakes when you ask AI for this

  • Asking "which should I pick?". Without your priorities, the AI lists pros and cons of both and ends with 'it depends on your goals'. Try: Tell it what matters: "My goals: save $1,200 by Aug 20, and get there without a car until July 15."
  • Letting it hedge. AI avoids choosing for you unless you ask it to commit. Try: Add: "Pick one in the first line. No 'it depends'."
  • Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total and it often lands 20% over. Try: Cap each part: "first line under 12 words, each bullet under 15 words."
  • No limit on the reasons. The AI writes a full pros and cons table for each option. Try: Add: "Then at most 3 bullets of reasons."
  • Forgetting the hidden costs. The AI does the pay math from the headline rate and skips the fine print. Try: Add: "Use only the facts listed, and count every cost."

What a strong prompt includes

  • States the savings goal
  • States the ride problem
  • Asks for a clear pick
  • Limits the reasons
  • Asks for plain text

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