Outline first, then sections
Ask for an outline, correct it, then draft one section at a time. Long one-shot drafts tend to be generic and repetitive.
Give your style guide as context
Write a short style guide: audience, tone, words to use and avoid, sentence length, formatting. Paste it with each request so every document sounds consistent.
- Audience: busy small business owners
- Tone: clear, warm, no jargon
- Sentences: short; one idea per paragraph
- Avoid: hype words, unverified figures
Check facts and figures
Verify every number, date, name and claim before sharing. Ask the AI to list the claims in its draft so you know what to check.
Finish like an editor
Read the document aloud or in print. Cut 10 to 20 percent. Strong documents are usually shorter than the first draft.
Example
A proposal in 40 minutes
Outline (5 min) · corrections (5 min) · four sections drafted with the style guide (15 min) · facts checked (10 min) · final edit (5 min).
Prompt to try
Replace the [brackets] with your own details and review the result before using it.
Using this style guide: [paste], create an outline for a [document type] for [audience] about [topic]. Wait for my corrections before drafting. Then draft section 1 only.
Exercise
Write a one-page style guide for your documents.
