daBongo LMS AI Training Courses

Lesson Content

The format problem.

A response with excellent information in the wrong format requires rework before it is usable. Specifying format upfront is not a minor formatting concern – it is the difference between immediately actionable output and output that needs hours of reformatting.

Five high-value output formats.

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

Parallel structure for multiple options.

"For each of the three options, give me: Option Name, One-Sentence Description, Top Benefit, Top Risk, and Estimated Timeline. Use the same structure for all three so I can compare them side by side."

The assumption-surfacing problem.

When you write an ambiguous prompt, Copilot makes assumptions and produces a response based on them. If those assumptions are wrong, you get a long, well-written response to the wrong question.

Three assumption-surfacing techniques.

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

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

Technique 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."

Technique 3 – "Check your interpretation before the full response."

"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."

When to use assumption-surfacing.

Assumption-surfacing adds a conversation turn – a small cost that pays off when the task is long, complex, or ambiguous. For simple, low-stakes tasks, it is unnecessary overhead.

Recovering from conversations that went wrong.

"Stop – there has been a fundamental 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 trying to patch a wrong-direction response with follow-ups.