Before and after demos
Side-by-side comparisons showing what changes when you give an AI tool more context — and why those 30 extra seconds of specificity make such a difference.
The outputs below were both produced by the same AI tool (Claude). The only thing that changed was the prompt. The better prompt takes about 30 extra seconds to write.
Example 1 — Lesson plan
Both prompts ask for a lesson plan. The outputs are completely different in quality and usefulness.
"Write me a lesson plan on photosynthesis."
What came backA generic, textbook-style lesson plan with no year group, no timing, no exam board context, and activities described so vaguely ("discuss photosynthesis with students") that they were unusable without complete rewriting. The starter was "Ask students what they know about plants." The differentiation section said "Support struggling students."
"Create a 50-minute lesson plan for a Junior Cycle 2nd Year Science class on photosynthesis. Students have already covered cell structure. Include three learning objectives written as 'students will be able to…', a 10-minute retrieval starter on cell structure, a main activity using the leaf disc experiment concept, and a plenary that checks understanding of the equation. Suggest three questions to ask during the lesson. Include one differentiation for students who need support."
What came backA ready-to-use lesson with specific objectives, a retrieval starter (five questions on cell structure with answers), a worked explanation of the leaf disc experiment, three checking questions, and a differentiation that provided a partially completed word equation as a scaffold. Required only minor edits before use.
Example 2 — Feedback comment
Both ask for feedback on a piece of writing. The weak prompt produces something that could apply to any student anywhere. The strong prompt produces something actually useful.
"Write feedback on this student's essay."
What came back"This essay shows good effort and some interesting ideas. Your introduction sets up the topic well. To improve, try to develop your points more fully and check your spelling and punctuation. Well done for completing this piece of work."
Entirely generic. Could apply to any essay by any student anywhere. Contains no actionable next step and no subject-specific content.
"Write a 70-word feedback comment for a Leaving Certificate 5th Year English personal essay. The essay has a strong central idea and good use of imagery in the middle section, but the conclusion is weak and trails off without resolution. Tone: encouraging but honest. Include one specific next step. Do not use the phrase 'well done'."
What came back"Your central idea is compelling, and the imagery you use in the middle section — particularly the light and shadow motif — shows real craft. The essay loses momentum in its final paragraph, which trails off rather than landing. For your next draft, write three possible final sentences and choose the one that feels most resolved and true to the experience you have described. The ideas are strong — give them the ending they deserve."
Example 3 — Parent email
A common task where vague prompts produce generic drafts that still need complete rewriting, but specific prompts produce something close to send-ready.
"Write a parent email about a student's attendance."
What came back"Dear Parent/Guardian, I am writing to inform you that your child's attendance has been below the expected standard. Regular attendance is important for academic success. Please contact the school if there are any issues. Yours sincerely."
Cold, formal, unusable without full rewriting. No warmth, no context, no constructive tone.
"Write a parent email about a 3rd Year student whose attendance has dropped to around 70% this term. The student is generally engaged when in school and their attitude is positive — the concern is purely about the pattern of absences. Tone: warm and concerned, not accusatory. Under 130 words. Open with 'Dear Parent or Guardian' — I will add the name myself. End with an invitation to make contact."
What came back"Dear Parent or Guardian, I am writing with a concern I hope we can work through together. [Student] is a genuinely engaged member of our class — their attitude and effort when they are with us are excellent. However, their attendance this term has dropped to around 70%, which is beginning to affect their continuity of learning. I want to raise this early, in the spirit of working together, rather than letting it become a bigger concern. Please do not hesitate to get in touch — I am happy to talk through any circumstances that might be affecting attendance. Yours sincerely."
The pattern
Every strong prompt in these examples does the same things: it specifies the year group and subject, describes what is already known or done, names the format and length it wants, gives a tone instruction, and tells the AI what to avoid. None of this takes more than 30 seconds to add.
The Prompt Lab builds this structure automatically — fill in the fields and it assembles the detailed prompt for you.
Go to the Prompt Lab →