Education Standards
AI Writing Prompts
Overview
This resource includes traditional writing prompts as well as prompts and assignments that utilize AI-generated text. It covers the fields of Creative Writing, Composition, and Business and Technical Writing.
Introduction
This resource provides a repository of writing prompts that writing instructors can use in their classes. Please feel free to use anything you find here or remix it. If you would like to add to this resource, you can copy the entire thing, and create your own. Otherwise, you can email your prompt suggestions to brewerwriter@gmail.com. For now, this resource will cover Creative Writing, Composition, and Business/Tech Writing.
Creative Writing Prompts
I put creative writing first, because it seems to be the most amenable to AI text generation.
Take your dialogue and ask the chatbot to rewrite it in, say, the style of Tarantino or Mamet.
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Summarize the plot of a famous work of literature. Then ask AI to write this in a completely different genre (or at least to give you the outline for rewriting the entire novel in a new genre). For example, have it rewrite Frankenstein as a romantic comedy.
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Ask AI to write a poem in a very challenging form with several other restrictions. For example, you could ask it to write a crown of sonnets in anapestic tetrameter. Now, it won't be able to do that, but see if it doesn't give you some ideas for a poem anyway.
Composition Prompts
AI-resistant prompts:
I’ve used the following AI-resistant writing prompt in both composition and creative writing classes. I usually require students to write early drafts/answers by hand, which keeps the writing process more manual than artificial. (The hand-eye-brain connection has been well documented in writing studies!) At the end, though, we do turn to ChatGPT to improve our writing and to cobble our answers together into an essay. Here’s the prompt:
Look at the art in the hallway and throughout the building. Pick only one painting, portrait, landscape, 3D artwork, or mural panel to write about. You may write about the mural called “The Spirit of the Land Grant College,” which is found above the entrance to the HSSE Library. You may not do any research in these initial drafting stages. That will come later.
Describe the painting by paying attention to details.
* What specifics make it unique?
* What theme do you see here? Where do you see it? (Be specific, in other words.)
* How do the parts make a whole or what doesn’t fit?
* Describe an artistic technique or its effect on you as you look. Discuss colors.
* What does this person say? What’s the tone of voice, personality, or context?
* Where is this? What happens or does not happen here?
* What was the painter thinking?
AI Component: Ask a chatbot, such as ChatGPT, how you could improve your answers to the questions above in terms of specificity, clarity, and vocabulary. Then engage it in a conversation about how you could take your answers and write an essay with them. Include a transcript of your conversation with the chatbot or AI-text-generator in your final submission, along with a reflection statement about the process.”
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Clothes Prompts for Description:
Think about a single article of clothing that you own. Pick something you’ve had for years or your go-to outfit for certain situations (working, relaxing with friends, sleepovers, game day, formal wear). Describe it in great detail, far beyond the words below. You can talk about the size and fit, sure, but how does it feel in your hands, on your shoulder, head, or waistline? Where is it worn or stained? Describe that. What colors can you see? Don’t just tell me about the red stiletto; tell me about the shape of the sole on the bottom of the spike. It isn’t round, is it? Enumerate things. Work around the clock (12/3/6/9), describing all sides and angles, and don’t forget the inside of the garment, shoe, or hat.
Shoes: your most comfortable house slippers rainy day shoes Summer/beachwear
Work boots Your favorite running shoes Pumps, stilettoes
Tops: shawl Polo Shirt that you wear when you… / when you want to …
Flannel windbreaker hoodie camisole tank blouse T-shirt
Bottoms: mini skirt khakis sweatpants pajamas favorite jeans
Yoga/bicycle shorts/shorts I wear when you… / when you want to… underwear socks classy shorts
Hats: baseball cap bowler hardhat cowboy/girl hat beach/sun hat
FREEWRITE: fill at least two paragraphs with as much detail as you can about your chosen article of clothing.
AI Component: Have a conversation with a chatbot about how to organize your writing about your article of clothing. Also, you might do a little research to find the right vocabulary (so that you don't have to say "that thing that looks like clear tape around the end of my shoelaces").
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Tell a story:
Put yourself (or a character you’ve invented) in that piece of clothing. Tell a story in which a bit of the description you used above comes into play. You can use real dialogue (or fake) or no dialogue. If you can’t remember the actual words, make some up. Build on memories or create them.
Otherwise, you can write in the first person about another character’s clothing. Or you can write about someone else’s garment that you now own—something that means a lot to you. Don’t just focus on your feelings or emotions! Note changes over time, if any, or different occasions when you’ve worn this item.
The point is to use your senses to describe it:
* How does it smell?
* How does it feel?
* How does it look?
* Does it make a sound?
Business and Technical Writing Prompts
Write a company profile for a regional or national company. You can also pick a nonprofit.
Try prompting ChatGPT to write the first draft. However, this chatbot does not use the most up-to-date information. Therefore, you'll need to do research. Start with the company website, but don't forget its social media presence as well. Follow or join platforms where this company is active.
Tell the story of the company's history. They will likely leave out the rough spots. Check local newspapers, online reviews, former employee blogs, or social media posts from customers. These can help you make this an objective history. If you use ChatGPT for this section, be sure to double check the facts. Sometimes it just makes up falsehoods, so edit the history carefully.
What products or services is this company known for? Has it won any awards? Can you find opinions from customers, vendors, employees, or neighbors of this organization or its products? Can you find their company rating with the Better Business Bureau or similar websites?
What business sectors do they operate in? (Retail, financial services, charity, website design?) What is the market outlook for such companies? How do they compare to similar companies? Would an investor be wise to invest in them? ChatGPT can help you orient yourself to some of these ideas, but the market changes daily, so do your own research.
What are the values, goals, and mission statements of this company? Again, you may need to move beyond their website and infer things that they don't necessarily say about themselves. Use your critical thinking skills to do so.
Is this company growing, shrinking, or merging with another organization? Search through job advertisements on sites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter. See if you can guess the new directions for this company based on job ads they have posted recently.
What is their current address? How do they ask to be contacted? Who are the leaders in this company, and what's the contact information for them?
Writing for Yourself or Your Company on LinkedIn
You need to learn how to write your LinkedIN profile. You also should know about how to market yourself or your products on LinkedIn.
PROMPT:
You are a career building expert. I am a young student. How should I write my LinkedIn profile summary? Use facts only. Give examples of language that I should use and also what to avoid.
Answer: Sure, I'd be happy to help you with that. Here are some tips for writing a strong LinkedIn profile summary as a young student:
1. Keep it concise: Your LinkedIn summary should be a brief overview of your professional experience and goals. Aim for a summary of 3-5 sentences or bullet points.
2. Highlight your unique selling points: Focus on your strengths and achievements that make you stand out. For example, you might mention any academic honors or awards, relevant coursework, or extracurricular activities.
3. Use action-oriented language: Start your sentences with action verbs that showcase your skills and accomplishments. For example, instead of saying "I am interested in marketing," say "I have experience creating and executing successful marketing campaigns."
4. Avoid clichés and vague language: Phrases like "team player" and "hard worker" are overused and don't provide specific details about your skills or accomplishments. Also, avoid using buzzwords and jargon that may not be easily understood by everyone.
5. Customize for your audience: Consider the industry or job function you're interested in and tailor your summary to highlight relevant skills or experience.
Here's an example of a strong LinkedIn summary for a young student:
"Motivated student with a strong academic record and passion for marketing. Completed coursework in digital marketing and advertising, and gained hands-on experience through internships at XYZ company and ABC nonprofit. Excited to apply my skills and knowledge to a marketing role in the technology industry."
Remember to proofread your summary and ensure that it is free of spelling or grammatical errors. A well-crafted LinkedIn summary can make a big difference in attracting attention from potential employers or professional connections.
PROMPT: I want you to be an expert in <topic>. You have all the information about anything to do with <topic>. I will ask about different subjects within <topic>. You will provide me with clear, concise, accurate information. Ensure that you only respond back with answers that you know are true or factual. Please limit your responses to the specific information requested. Avoid providing unnecessary details.
Topic = LinkedIN Marketing
Sure, I'll do my best to assist you with your questions about LinkedIn marketing. Please go ahead and ask me any specific questions you have on this topic.
Question: Do I have to own a business to engage in LinkedIn marketing? If not, how do I get started?
Answer: No, you don't need to own a business to engage in LinkedIn marketing. LinkedIn provides opportunities for individuals to market themselves as professionals and to build their personal brand. Here are some steps to get started with LinkedIn marketing as an individual:
1. Create a LinkedIn profile: The first step is to create a LinkedIn profile that highlights your professional skills, experience, and accomplishments. Ensure that your profile is complete and professional-looking.
2. Build your network: Connect with other professionals in your industry, clients, and colleagues on LinkedIn to expand your network. Share your profile link with your contacts to invite them to connect with you.
3. Share valuable content: Share relevant articles, insights, and updates related to your industry or area of expertise. This will help you establish yourself as a thought leader and attract more followers.
4. Participate in LinkedIn groups: Join LinkedIn groups related to your industry and participate in discussions to engage with other professionals and expand your reach.
5. Consider LinkedIn advertising: If you have a budget for advertising, LinkedIn offers a variety of advertising options to target specific audiences based on their job title, company, and other demographics.
By following these steps, you can effectively leverage LinkedIn marketing to build your personal brand and expand your professional network.
Q: How much does it cost for an individual to market themselves on LinkedIn? Are there multiple price points? What different services do they offer for targeting specific audiences?
A: Marketing yourself on LinkedIn as an individual is free, but if you want to take advantage of additional features and advertising options, there may be costs involved.
LinkedIn offers a range of advertising options that allow you to target specific audiences based on their job title, industry, location, and other demographics. These advertising options include sponsored content, sponsored InMail, display ads, and dynamic ads.
The cost of advertising on LinkedIn varies depending on the advertising option you choose and the size of your target audience. LinkedIn advertising operates on a bidding system, where advertisers bid for ad placement and pay-per-click (PPC) or per-impression (CPM). You can set your own budget and bid for ad placement, and LinkedIn will provide an estimated range for the minimum bid required to reach your target audience.
In terms of pricing, LinkedIn offers multiple price points for advertising depending on your budget and advertising goals. For example, sponsored content ads can start at $10 per day, while sponsored InMail campaigns can cost upwards of $3000 depending on the size of the target audience and the number of messages sent.
LinkedIn also offers targeting options such as job title, job function, company size, industry, location, and more. These targeting options allow you to reach the most relevant audience for your business or professional goals.
Overall, the cost of LinkedIn marketing can vary widely depending on your goals, targeting options, and budget. LinkedIn provides a range of options to suit different marketing needs and budgets.
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Write a company profile for a regional or national company. You can also pick a nonprofit.
Try prompting ChatGPT to write the first draft. However, this chatbot does not use the most up-to-date information. Therefore, you'll need to do research. Start with the company website, but don't forget its social media presence as well. Follow or join platforms where this company is active.
Tell the story of the company's history. They will likely leave out the rough spots. Check local newspapers, online reviews, former employee blogs, or social media posts from customers. These can help you make this an objective history. If you use ChatGPT for this section, be sure to double check the facts. Sometimes it just makes up falsehoods, so edit the history carefully.
What products or services is this company known for? Has it won any awards? Can you find opinions from customers, vendors, employees, or neighbors of this organization or its products? Can you find their company rating with the Better Business Bureau or similar websites?
What business sectors do they operate in? (Retail, financial services, charity, website design?) What is the market outlook for such companies? How do they compare to similar companies? Would an investor be wise to invest in them? ChatGPT can help you orient yourself to some of these ideas, but the market changes daily, so do your own research.
What are the values, goals, and mission statements of this company? Again, you may need to move beyond their website and infer things that they don't necessarily say about themselves. Use your critical thinking skills to do so.
Is this company growing, shrinking, or merging with another organization? Search through job advertisements on sites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter. See if you can guess the new directions for this company based on job ads they have posted recently.
What is their current address? How do they ask to be contacted? Who are the leaders in this company, and what's the contact information for them?
Writing for Yourself or Your Company on LinkedIn
You need to learn how to write your LinkedIN profile. You also should know about how to market yourself or your products on LinkedIn.
PROMPT:
You are a career building expert. I am a young student. How should I write my LinkedIn profile summary? Use facts only. Give examples of language that I should use and also what to avoid.
Answer: Sure, I'd be happy to help you with that. Here are some tips for writing a strong LinkedIn profile summary as a young student:
Keep it concise: Your LinkedIn summary should be a brief overview of your professional experience and goals. Aim for a summary of 3-5 sentences or bullet points.
Highlight your unique selling points: Focus on your strengths and achievements that make you stand out. For example, you might mention any academic honors or awards, relevant coursework, or extracurricular activities.
Use action-oriented language: Start your sentences with action verbs that showcase your skills and accomplishments. For example, instead of saying "I am interested in marketing," say "I have experience creating and executing successful marketing campaigns."
Avoid clichés and vague language: Phrases like "team player" and "hard worker" are overused and don't provide specific details about your skills or accomplishments. Also, avoid using buzzwords and jargon that may not be easily understood by everyone.
Customize for your audience: Consider the industry or job function you're interested in and tailor your summary to highlight relevant skills or experience.
Here's an example of a strong LinkedIn summary for a young student:
"Motivated student with a strong academic record and passion for marketing. Completed coursework in digital marketing and advertising, and gained hands-on experience through internships at XYZ company and ABC nonprofit. Excited to apply my skills and knowledge to a marketing role in the technology industry."
Remember to proofread your summary and ensure that it is free of spelling or grammatical errors. A well-crafted LinkedIn summary can make a big difference in attracting attention from potential employers or professional connections.
PROMPT: I want you to be an expert in <topic>. You have all the information about anything to do with <topic>. I will ask about different subjects within <topic>. You will provide me with clear, concise, accurate information. Ensure that you only respond back with answers that you know are true or factual. Please limit your responses to the specific information requested. Avoid providing unnecessary details.
Topic = LinkedIN Marketing
Sure, I'll do my best to assist you with your questions about LinkedIn marketing. Please go ahead and ask me any specific questions you have on this topic.
Question: Do I have to own a business to engage in LinkedIn marketing? If not, how do I get started?
Answer: No, you don't need to own a business to engage in LinkedIn marketing. LinkedIn provides opportunities for individuals to market themselves as professionals and to build their personal brand. Here are some steps to get started with LinkedIn marketing as an individual:
Create a LinkedIn profile: The first step is to create a LinkedIn profile that highlights your professional skills, experience, and accomplishments. Ensure that your profile is complete and professional-looking.
Build your network: Connect with other professionals in your industry, clients, and colleagues on LinkedIn to expand your network. Share your profile link with your contacts to invite them to connect with you.
Share valuable content: Share relevant articles, insights, and updates related to your industry or area of expertise. This will help you establish yourself as a thought leader and attract more followers.
Participate in LinkedIn groups: Join LinkedIn groups related to your industry and participate in discussions to engage with other professionals and expand your reach.
Consider LinkedIn advertising: If you have a budget for advertising, LinkedIn offers a variety of advertising options to target specific audiences based on their job title, company, and other demographics.
By following these steps, you can effectively leverage LinkedIn marketing to build your personal brand and expand your professional network.
Q: How much does it cost for an individual to market themselves on LinkedIn? Are there multiple price points? What different services do they offer for targeting specific audiences?
A: Marketing yourself on LinkedIn as an individual is free, but if you want to take advantage of additional features and advertising options, there may be costs involved.
LinkedIn offers a range of advertising options that allow you to target specific audiences based on their job title, industry, location, and other demographics. These advertising options include sponsored content, sponsored InMail, display ads, and dynamic ads.
The cost of advertising on LinkedIn varies depending on the advertising option you choose and the size of your target audience. LinkedIn advertising operates on a bidding system, where advertisers bid for ad placement and pay-per-click (PPC) or per-impression (CPM). You can set your own budget and bid for ad placement, and LinkedIn will provide an estimated range for the minimum bid required to reach your target audience.
In terms of pricing, LinkedIn offers multiple price points for advertising depending on your budget and advertising goals. For example, sponsored content ads can start at $10 per day, while sponsored InMail campaigns can cost upwards of $3000 depending on the size of the target audience and the number of messages sent.
LinkedIn also offers targeting options such as job title, job function, company size, industry, location, and more. These targeting options allow you to reach the most relevant audience for your business or professional goals.
Overall, the cost of LinkedIn marketing can vary widely depending on your goals, targeting options, and budget. LinkedIn provides a range of options to suit different marketing needs and budgets.