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Crafting Effective Prompts for ChatGPT

Lesson 3: Structured Output and Assumption Surfacing

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

  • Request at least five output formats fluently
  • Match output format to the actual use case
  • Apply three assumption-surfacing techniques
  • Know when to start fresh vs. continuing to iterate

Lesson Content

Five high-value output formats.

  1. Tables: Best for comparisons. Request: "Format as a table with columns: [names]."
  2. Numbered lists: Best for steps, ranked options, ordered processes.
  3. Bullet lists: Best for unordered collections.
  4. Hierarchical outlines: Best for document structure and presentation frameworks.
  5. Section-and-paragraph prose: Best for formal documents.

Parallel structure for multiple options.

"For each of the three options, give me: Option Name, One-Sentence Description, Top Benefit, Top Risk, Estimated Timeline. Use the same structure for all three."

Three assumption-surfacing techniques.

1 – "Before you answer, list your assumptions."

"Before answering, briefly list the key assumptions you are making about my situation and what I need. Then proceed with the response."

2 – "Ask me clarifying questions before you begin."

"Before writing anything, ask me the three to five questions whose answers would most improve your response. Wait for my answers before proceeding."

3 – "Check your interpretation first."

"Start by stating in one sentence what you understand me to be asking for and who you understand my audience to be. If correct, proceed. If I correct you, adjust before continuing."

Recovering from wrong-direction conversations.

"Stop – there has been a misunderstanding. Let me restate what I actually need: [clearer version]. Please start fresh from this restatement."

Starting fresh from a clear restatement is faster than patching a wrong-direction response.

Jamie Practice Lab

Before moving to the quiz, complete this short applied exercise:

  1. Write one realistic ChatGPT prompt that applies the main idea from Structured Output and Assumption Surfacing to your own work, learning, or daily life.
  2. Add one safety or verification step you would take before acting on ChatGPT's response.
  3. Revise the prompt once to include clearer context, constraints, or success criteria.

Instructor check: A strong answer should show practical use, human review, and awareness that ChatGPT output is assistance – not automatic truth or professional advice.

Added Quiz Enhancement

question_id: auto-enhancement-structured-output-and-assumption-surfacing-qjamie001 question_type: short_answer difficulty: applied question: Write one prompt you could use after this lesson, then name one verification or human-review step you would apply before relying on the result. correct_answer: Answers will vary; a strong answer includes a clear task, relevant context, at least one constraint or desired format, and a realistic verification or human-review step based on the stakes of the task. answer_explanation: This applied question checks whether the student can transfer the lesson into real use while maintaining responsible AI habits.

Lesson Quiz

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