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Post a water shutoff notice tenants will actually read
Practice: Asking for a format you can use. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
You manage an apartment building and need to post a water shutoff notice. Write a first line with the rescheduled date and time window, then exactly 3 numbered steps tenants should take, each under 12 words, under 70 words total, plain text so it prints cleanly. Use only the plumber's latest schedule. Write a prompt that gets you exactly that.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- No fixed shape. The AI writes a formal letter with a heading and paragraphs. Try: Be exact: "First line the date and time, then exactly 3 numbered steps."
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 70 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part instead: "each step under 12 words."
- Using the first date. The first email says Tuesday, and the AI may use it or mention both. Try: Add: "Use only the Nov 5 schedule: Thursday Nov 13, 10 AM-3 PM."
- Writing vague steps. The AI writes generic tips like "plan ahead" instead of the specific actions. Try: Add: "Steps: fill water the night before, no dishwasher or washer, run the faucet 2 minutes after."
- Explaining the backstory. The AI includes the part delay and the lease rule, which tenants don't need. Try: Add: "No backstory and no heading."
What a strong prompt includes
- Uses the latest date
- Puts the date first
- Sets the number of steps
- Caps each step
- Asks for plain text
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