daBongo LMS AI Training Courses

Lesson Content

Targeted drafting prompts.

The quality of a first draft depends on the specificity of the drafting prompt. Weak: "Draft a report on X." Strong:

"Draft the [section name] for a report on [topic]. This section should accomplish [specific purpose]. The reader at this point has already read [what comes before] and needs [what they need to understand to follow what comes next]. Tone: [professional / conversational / technical]. Length: approximately [x words or paragraphs]. Do not use padding or generic transitions – every sentence should advance the section's purpose."

The "do not use padding" instruction.

AI-generated prose commonly contains filler – transition sentences that exist only to move from one paragraph to another without adding meaning. Explicitly instructing against padding significantly reduces it.

Iterative improvement with specific criteria.

First drafts are starting points. Improvement requires specific criteria:

"Review this draft against these specific criteria: (1) Does every paragraph have one clear purpose? (2) Is there any sentence that could be removed without loss? (3) Does the opening create a reason for the reader to keep reading? (4) Does the closing give the reader a clear takeaway or action? Be direct about what needs to change."

Tone adaptation for audience.

"Rewrite this passage for a [audience type] audience. The original was written for [original audience]. Key adjustment: [what specifically needs to change about the level, tone, or formality]. Preserve the core content – change how it is expressed."

The opening sentence test.

The opening sentence sets the reader's expectations. Test it:

"Does this opening sentence give the reader a reason to read the second sentence? If not, suggest three alternative openings – one that leads with the most surprising fact, one that leads with the reader's most important problem, and one that leads with a direct statement of the main argument."

Three alternatives ensure you are choosing, not accepting the first suggestion.