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Turn two supply lists into one shopping list of what you still need
Practice: Keeping the AI to your sources. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
You have back-to-school supply lists for two kids and a note of what's already at home. Write exactly 5 numbered lines of what to buy, each in the form "Item - quantity - which kid", plain text, under 60 words. Use the teacher's corrected list, subtract what you already have, and skip anything you don't need to buy. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- No fixed shape. The AI lists both kids' full lists under headings, with notes. Try: Be exact: "Exactly 5 numbered lines: Item - quantity - which kid."
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 60 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part instead: "each line under 8 words."
- Not subtracting. The AI lists 2 boxes of crayons and pencils you already have. Try: Add: "Subtract what's at home: 1 crayon box, 48 pencils, highlighters, colored pencils."
- Missing the correction. Binders are on the original list; the teacher's email removed them. Try: Add: "No binders; Owen needs 4 composition notebooks."
What a strong prompt includes
- Uses the correction
- Subtracts what you have
- Shows the line shape
- Sets the number of items
- Sets a word limit
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