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Ask better questions · Lesson 6 of 16

Improve Any ChatGPT Answer With Follow-Ups

Treat the first answer as a draft. Change the tone, make it shorter or add something with a few short follow-ups, without starting over.

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English captions available in the player. Prefer reading? Follow the written lesson below.

THE WRITTEN LESSONFollow along at your pace

The first answer ChatGPT gives you is only a first draft. In this lesson you learn to talk back: with a few short words, you can change the tone, make the answer shorter or add something, without starting over. You will follow one everyday example from start to finish: a thank-you message to a neighbor.

Ask for a first draft

Start with a simple job. Click in the message box and type this promptprompt: The instruction or input a person gives a generative AI system, such as a question, a description of a task or a block of pasted text. The same request worded differently can produce noticeably different answers.Full entry in the glossary:

Type this
Write a thank-you message to a neighbor who watered my plants while I was away. Sign it Alex.

Then click the round blue arrow button at the right end of the box to send it.

The ChatGPT home screen, which says Good to see you, Alex Demo. The thank-you request is typed in the message box, and the pointer is on the round blue arrow button at the right end of the box.(opens the full-size picture)
Start with one short, normal request.

ChatGPT writes a first draft. It begins “Hi! Thank you so much for watering my plants while I was away” and ends “I’m lucky to have such a thoughtful neighbor!”, signed Alex. It is polite and kind. But for a neighbor, it may sound a little formal.

The first draft below the request: Hi! Thank you so much for watering my plants while I was away. I really appreciate your help and kindness. I'm lucky to have such a thoughtful neighbor! Thanks again, Alex. Under the message, a highlighted row with a label that says Next steps holds two suggestions: Make the thank-you more concise, and Make my message warmer.(opens the full-size picture)
The first answer is only a first draft.

Look just under the answer

ChatGPT even suggests next steps, like “Make the thank-you more concise” and “Make my message warmer”. Your first follow-up can ask for something like that.

Change the tone

Now it is time to talk back. You don’t need to start over. Type this reply in the message box and send it, just like the request:

Then reply
Make it more casual.

ChatGPT writes a new version: “Hey! Thanks so much for watering my plants while I was away! Really appreciate it. You’re the best!” Now it sounds like a real neighbor: relaxed, friendly and still thankful.

The reply Make it more casual, in a light blue bubble, with a label that says More casual. Below it, the new message is highlighted: Hey! Thanks so much for watering my plants while I was away! Really appreciate it. You're the best! It is signed Alex.(opens the full-size picture)
Same message, new tone.

Make it shorter

Still too long? Just say so:

Reply again
Shorter, two sentences.

Now it is exactly two sentences, ready to send: “Hey, thanks for watering my plants while I was away! Really appreciate it!”

The reply Shorter, two sentences, in a light blue bubble, with a label that says Two sentences. Below it, the new message is highlighted: Hey, thanks for watering my plants while I was away! Really appreciate it! It is signed Alex.(opens the full-size picture)
Ask for the length you want, in plain words.

Add something

You can also add things:

Reply again
Add a small joke about the plants.

The new version keeps the thanks and adds a joke: “They’re probably happier with you than with me!” It brings a small smile, and the message is still short.

The reply Add a small joke about the plants, in a light blue bubble, with a label that says A small joke. Below it, the new message is highlighted: Hey, thanks for watering my plants while I was away! They're probably happier with you than with me! It ends with a laughing emoji and is signed Alex.(opens the full-size picture)
A follow-up can add something new, too.

Why a few words are enough

Notice something: you never typed the whole request again. ChatGPT remembers the earlier messages in the same chat, so a few words were enough each time. The first draft became more casual, then two sentences long, then got a small joke.

A diagram headed Why it works: four numbered circles joined by a line, labeled Draft, More casual, Two sentences and Add a joke. Below them, a check mark and the words A few words are enough.(opens the full-size picture)
Four versions of one message, from one request and three short replies.

Follow-ups you can use any time

Keep these short follow-ups ready to use any time:

  • Make it shorter.
  • Make it more formal.
  • Make it friendlier.
  • Use simpler words.
  • Add an example.
Five follow-ups under the heading Your follow-ups, each with a small drawing: Make it shorter with scissors, Make it more formal with a necktie, Make it friendlier with a smiling face, Use simpler words with the letters ABC, and Add an example with a light bulb.(opens the full-size picture)
Pick the one that fits what you want to change.

For more on writing and improving your prompts, read how to write a good prompt.

YOUR TURN

In the next lesson, you will ask ChatGPT for the shape you need, like a list, a table or steps: Get ChatGPT answers as lists, tables or steps.

Read the full video transcript

In this lesson, you'll learn to talk back to ChatGPT. The first answer is only a first draft. You can change it with a few short words, without starting over.

Let's start with a simple job. Write a thank-you message to a neighbor who watered my plants while I was away. Sign it Alex.

Here's the first draft. It's polite and kind. But for a neighbor, it may sound a little formal. And look just under it: ChatGPT even suggests next steps, like making it warmer or shorter.

So let's talk back. Make it more casual. Now it sounds like a real neighbor: relaxed, friendly, and still thankful.

Still too long? Just say so. Shorter, two sentences. And now it's exactly two sentences, ready to send.

You can also add things. Add a small joke about the plants. A small smile, and it's still short.

Notice something. We never typed the whole request again. ChatGPT remembers the conversation, so a few words are enough. Each reply builds on the last one.

Here are some follow-ups you can use any time. Make it shorter. Make it more formal. Make it friendlier. Use simpler words. Add an example.

So remember: the first answer is a draft, talk back instead of starting over, and a few words are enough. Before the next lesson, take any answer and improve it with two follow-ups. Next, you'll ask ChatGPT for the shape you need, like a list, a table, or steps.