Left alone, a model writes two to four paragraphs of even-handed prose. That is fine for some things and wrong for most: you wanted a list, a table you could paste into a spreadsheet, or an answer that fits on a phone screen. The output part of your prompt is where you say so, and the words that work are ordinary ones.
| You want | Say | Note |
|---|---|---|
| A list | "As bullet points" or "a numbered list, one line each" | "One line each" stops bullets turning into paragraphs |
| A table | "As a table with columns: Name, Cost, Notes" | Name the columns and you get the table you meant |
| A length | "Under 100 words" or "three sentences" | Word limits are followed loosely; give a margin |
| A tone | "Plain and friendly", "formal", "like a text to a friend" | Compare to something the model knows |
| A focus | "Focus on the costs; ignore the history" | Tells it what to leave out, which is half the job |
| A fixed structure | "Three sections headed Decisions, Money, Dates" | You get exactly those headings |
Try it
A table and a hard word limit
Check the badges under the answer. The word count is the honest test: models treat limits as a strong suggestion, not a law, so ask for a little under what you really need. If the table came back as paragraphs, add "as a markdown table" and run again. Naming the columns is what makes it reliable.
Your turn
Reshape the same article your way
Read the article below and give me [SHAPE]. [FOCUS]. Under [WORDS] words. Here is the article: Local council approves new bike lanes on Harbour Road The council voted 7 to 2 on Tuesday to approve protected bike lanes along the 2.4 km stretch of Harbour Road between the bridge and the shopping centre. Construction is expected to begin in February and take around five months, during which one traffic lane in each direction will be closed. The project is budgeted at $3.1 million, with $1.8 million coming from a state active-transport grant. Opponents on the council argued that the loss of 46 on-street parking spaces would hurt shops along the route; the council has promised a review of parking after twelve months. A survey of 1,200 residents earlier this year found 61% in favour of the lanes, with support strongest among those under 40.
Hint: Run it once with a tight limit and once with a loose one. The tight version forces the model to choose what matters, which is often what you actually wanted.
Knowledge check
You want an answer you can paste into a spreadsheet. Which output instruction is most likely to work first time?