How to use this workbook
This page is your on-screen workbook. Each section has short prompts you can copy, fill in, and reuse. You can keep it open beside your AI assistant or print this page if you prefer paper. There’s no separate download required.
Wherever you see words in [square brackets], replace them with your own details. Start simple. You can always ask your AI to tweak the wording afterward.
Safety reminder: avoid including private details like account numbers, Social Security numbers, or medical ID numbers in your prompts. You can describe the situation instead.
1. Email & Messages
These templates help you write clear, respectful emails and messages without starting from scratch.
Please help me write a friendly email to [name].
I want to [give a quick update / check in / say thank you] about [topic].
Keep it warm but simple, and under [number] short paragraphs.
Use for staying in touch with family, friends, or community groups.
Help me write a short, respectful message to [person or office].
I need to ask about [what you need].
Please keep it polite, clear, and easy to understand.
Include a simple sentence asking what the next step is.
Write a brief email to [name or office] asking for clarification about [topic].
I want the tone to be calm and respectful, not demanding.
Please include 2–3 simple questions that will help me understand my options.
After you get a draft, you can always say: “Make this shorter,” “Make this friendlier,” or “Rewrite this so it sounds more like me.”
2. Lists & Checklists
Use these templates to turn messy thoughts into clear lists you can actually follow.
Turn the notes below into a short to-do list with checkboxes.
Group similar tasks together and put the most important ones first.
Here are my notes:
[ paste your rough notes here ]
Create a simple step-by-step checklist to help me with [task or project].
Use short phrases for each step.
Keep the total to about [5–10] steps so it feels doable.
Help me make a packing/shopping list for [trip / event / week of meals].
Organize it into clear sections (for example: clothes, toiletries, medication, other).
Leave a little space under each section so I can add my own items.
3. Planning & Routines
These templates help you plan your week, build light routines, and avoid overwhelm.
Help me outline a light weekly plan.
My main responsibilities are: [list your responsibilities].
Suggest a simple schedule for Monday–Friday with just a few key tasks each day.
Use plain English and avoid cramming too much into one day.
Create a gentle weekly plan that respects my energy levels.
My higher-energy times are usually [times or days].
My lower-energy times are [times or days].
Spread out tasks so I can do the harder ones when I have more energy
and easier ones when I have less.
I’m working on [project or situation] and I feel a bit stuck.
First, ask me 3–5 short questions about my situation.
Then suggest 3 possible “next small steps” I could take this week.
Keep your suggestions realistic and kind.
4. Learning & Explanations
When you’re trying to understand something new, these templates help you get plain-English explanations.
Explain [topic] in plain language for someone who is not technical.
Use short paragraphs and avoid jargon.
If you must use a difficult word, explain it in simple terms.
Act as a patient teacher who is good at working with beginners.
Explain [topic] in small pieces.
After each piece, ask me if I want to go deeper or move on.
Compare [option A] and [option B] in plain English.
Use a short list of pros and cons for each.
Then give me a simple “If you are this kind of person, you might like A; if you are that kind of person, you might like B” summary.
5. Creative & Just-for-Fun Prompts
These are low-pressure prompts meant to make AI feel less intimidating — stories, memories, and light fun.
Turn this memory into a short, warm story I could share with family:
[describe your memory in a few sentences]
Please keep the tone gentle and positive, and keep it under [number] paragraphs.
Help me brainstorm simple ideas for [topic: hobbies, family time, small projects, etc.].
Give me a short list of [5–10] ideas in plain language.
Mark 2 ideas that would be especially good for someone who is just getting started.
Create a list of [10] gentle conversation starter questions
I could use with [family / friends / group].
Keep them positive, easy to answer, and suitable for mixed ages.
6. Fixing & Improving Your Prompts
When a prompt doesn’t work the way you hoped, these templates help you repair it instead of starting over.
Here was my original prompt:
[ paste your prompt here ]
The answer I got did not feel right because [brief reason].
Tell me what information you still need from me to give a better answer.
Then suggest a clearer prompt I can try.
I’m going to paste a prompt below.
Please act like a “Prompt Doctor” and improve it for clarity and detail.
Keep the same basic goal and audience, but:
• Make my request more specific and practical.
• Add any missing context you think would help.
• Suggest 2 or 3 variations I could try.
Here’s my prompt:
[ paste your original prompt here ]
On your site, you can also visit the dedicated Prompt Doctor page for more help.
Here is an answer I received from AI:
[ paste the answer (or part of it) here ]
Please:
• Keep any important details that are correct.
• Rewrite this in plainer language.
• Make it sound more like a real person talking.
• Keep it to about [number] paragraphs or fewer.
You can save any prompts from this page that work well for you in your own Prompt Vault or notebook. Over time, you’ll build a personal library that fits your life and your voice.
Using this with the book
The prompts on this page are designed to match the ideas in Everyday ChatGPT: Practical Tips and Tools for the Beginner. You can use this workbook as a companion while you read, or as a quick reference when you come back later and want to try a new task.
