Create Clear ChatGPT Responses Without Waffling

Learning Objectives

• Write specific prompts that direct ChatGPT to give you exactly what you need
• Spot when ChatGPT is giving you waffle and know how to fix it
• Refine responses until they're clear, relevant, and useful

Introduction

ChatGPT can be brilliant, but it often gives you way more information than you actually need. The problem isn't the AI itself – it's how we ask questions. Vague prompts lead to rambling answers that bury the useful bits under layers of unnecessary detail.

This chapter shows you how to ask better questions and get ChatGPT to give you clear, focused responses that actually help. You'll save time and get better results by learning to communicate with AI more effectively.

Lessons

Lesson 1: Writing Specific Prompts

The key to getting useful responses is being specific about what you want. Think of it like giving directions – the clearer you are, the better the result.

Step 1: Define exactly what you need before you type anything. Ask yourself: What specific information am I looking for? What format do I want it in? How detailed should it be?

Step 2: Include context in your prompt. Tell ChatGPT who the information is for, what you'll use it for, and any constraints you have.

Step 3: Set clear boundaries. Specify length limits, format requirements, or particular angles you want covered.

Example of a vague prompt:
"Tell me about social media marketing"

Better specific prompt:
"Write a 200-word explanation of Instagram marketing basics for small business owners who've never used social media advertising before"

Lesson 2: Spotting and Stopping Waffle

ChatGPT loves to be thorough, which often means it includes information you didn't ask for. Here's how to recognise when it's gone off track.

Common signs of waffle:

• Long introductory paragraphs that restate your question
• Multiple examples when you only need one
• Background information you didn't request
• Repetitive points saying the same thing differently

Step 1: Read the first paragraph. If it's just explaining what you already know or restating your question, that's waffle.

Step 2: Look for your actual answer. It's often buried in the middle, surrounded by unnecessary context.

Step 3: Count the main points. If ChatGPT gives you ten examples when you needed three, you've got waffle.

Lesson 3: Refining Responses Until They Work

When ChatGPT gives you a waffling response, don't start over. Use follow-up prompts to shape it into what you actually need.

Step 1: Identify the useful parts. Copy the specific information that answers your question.

Step 2: Use follow-up prompts to refine. Try phrases like:

• "Make that more concise"
• "Focus only on the practical steps"
• "Remove the background information"
• "Give me just the key points"

Step 3: Be specific about what to cut. Say "Remove the examples and just give me the main process" rather than "make it shorter."

Example refinement:
Original response: 400 words explaining email marketing with history, benefits, examples, and steps.
Refinement prompt: "Remove the background information and examples. Give me just the 5 main steps to set up an email campaign."

Practice

Try this exercise to practise what you've learned:

Task 1: Ask ChatGPT "How do I improve my website's loading speed?" Notice how much background information it includes.

Task 2: Now try: "List 5 specific actions I can take today to make my website load faster. No explanations, just the actions."

Task 3: Compare the responses. The second should be much more actionable and focused.

Challenge: Take a topic you're genuinely interested in and write three versions of the same question – vague, specific, and very specific. See how the responses change.

FAQs

How specific should I be in my prompts?
Specific enough that someone else reading your prompt would know exactly what you want. Include the format, length, audience, and purpose.

What if ChatGPT still gives me waffle after I've been specific?
Use follow-up prompts to trim it down. Ask it to "focus only on…" or "remove everything except…" the parts you need.

Can I ask ChatGPT to change its writing style?
Yes. Add instructions like "write casually," "use simple language," or "write like you're talking to a friend" to adjust the tone.

How do I know if a response is too long?
If you can't quickly scan it and find your answer, it's probably too long. Most practical answers should be easy to skim.

Jargon Buster

Prompt: The question or instruction you give to ChatGPT to get a response.

Waffle: Unnecessary text that doesn't add useful information to the response.

Context: Background information that helps ChatGPT understand what kind of response you want.

Follow-up prompt: A second question that refines or builds on ChatGPT's previous response.

AI hallucination: When ChatGPT makes up information that sounds plausible but isn't true.

Wrap-up

Getting clear responses from ChatGPT isn't about luck – it's about asking better questions. Be specific about what you want, recognise waffle when you see it, and use follow-up prompts to refine responses until they're actually useful.

The time you spend crafting good prompts pays off quickly. You'll get better answers faster and won't have to dig through paragraphs of fluff to find what you need.

Start practising with low-stakes questions until writing specific prompts becomes natural. Soon you'll be getting exactly the information you need from ChatGPT every time.

Ready to dive deeper into AI tools? Check out more courses at https://www.pixelhaze.academy/membership