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Thank a scholarship donor with the details they want
Practice: Giving the right context. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
Your scholarship foundation asks recipients to send the donor a thank-you. Write it under 100 words. Name the scholarship exactly as it appears on your award letter and the amount, give your major and year, and say one specific thing the money is paying for. Skip 'blessed' and 'words cannot express', and sign it 'Maya Hernandez, Bayside State, Class of 2029' as the foundation asks. Write a prompt that gets that note.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for "under 100 words" and it often lands well over. Try: Cap each part: "5 sentences, each under 18 words."
- Using the nickname. Your notes say 'the Tsai scholarship'. The donor will notice the full name is missing. Try: Say it: "Name the Robert and Elaine Tsai Memorial Scholarship and the $2,500."
- Generic gratitude. The AI writes "this will help me achieve my dreams" without one concrete use. Try: Add: "Say it lets me cut weekend shifts from 3 to 1 to study anatomy."
- Over-the-top phrases. AI thank-yous lean on "I'm so blessed" and "words cannot express". Try: Add: "No 'blessed' or 'words cannot express'. Sign it Maya Hernandez, Bayside State, Class of 2029."
What a strong prompt includes
- Sets a word limit
- Uses the full scholarship name
- Gives a specific use
- Gives major and year
- Bans clichés
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