If you want to work smart and efficiently with generative AI, there’s one thing you need to understand: everything starts with asking the right questions (also called ‘prompts’). The better your prompt, the better AI can help you. It’s a bit like talking to another person: if you’re vague or unclear, chances are you’ll get a vague or useless answer in return.
One important thing to know: generative AI rarely delivers exactly what you had in mind on the first try. Often, it takes several attempts. But once you get the hang of prompting, you’ll see how valuable AI can be as an assistant.
To improve your prompts, you can use the COFFEE model. It helps you step by step to formulate clear instructions and the right keywords.
| C | Clear | Describe the task clearly and precisely. |
| O | Offer context | Add relevant context such as keywords, audience, or purpose. |
| F | Focus | Stay on point. Avoid unnecessary details that could confuse the AI model. |
| F | Fine-tune | Use examples to guide the output in the right direction. For instance: “Explain this concept as if you were talking to a 10-year-old.” |
| E | Explore | Try different variations of your prompt to see what works best. |
| E | Evaluate | Check whether the output matches your expectations. |
Source: https://www.schoolmakers.be/blog/artificiele-intelligentie-in-taalonderwijs/