Chapter 2 · Lesson 1
Show What Good Looks Like
Use examples to communicate tone, judgment, and patterns that are difficult to describe.
You have described your preferred writing style several times, but the output still does not sound like your team.
Examples carry hidden decisions
A strong example demonstrates choices that are tedious to list: sentence length, level of directness, amount of detail, terminology, and what the writer leaves out. One representative example can communicate more than a page of adjectives.
Explain what should transfer
Tell the model why the example is useful. Ask it to follow the structure and level of specificity without copying facts or phrases. Otherwise it may imitate surface wording while missing the principle you care about.
Use contrasts for difficult judgment
A good and bad example together can define a boundary. Show an acceptable support reply and one that sounds defensive, then label the difference. Contrasts are especially effective for tone, risk classification, and quality review.
Build the mental model
A useful example teaches a pattern; it should not become material for accidental copying.
Annotate the example
Name two or three qualities that should transfer, such as the opening structure, evidence density, or degree of directness. Also name what must not transfer.
Use contrast to define judgment
Pair an acceptable example with a weak one when the distinction is subjective. Label the decision behind each difference instead of relying on “good” and “bad”.
A support team wants replies that are warm without becoming vague.
Write like this example: “We are so sorry about everything. We completely understand how frustrating this must be.”
Follow the example’s order: acknowledge the specific issue, state the next action, and give a realistic time. Keep the direct tone and short paragraphs. Do not reuse names, facts, apologies, or promises. Avoid empathy phrases unless they refer to the customer’s actual situation.
The improved instruction extracts a reusable structure and prevents copied facts or generic emotional language.
Choose examples that generalise
A representative example is better than an unusually polished edge case. It should contain the normal complexity, constraints, and imperfections of the work.
After generation, test the instruction with a second input that differs from the example. If the output merely echoes the example, clarify the underlying rule.
Build a one-example style guide
Select an approved piece of work. Mark what to imitate, what to ignore, and one contrasting failure to avoid.
Transfer: [structure, detail, tone]. Do not copy: [facts, phrases]. Avoid: [failure], because [...].multiple choice
What is the best instruction to place beside a writing example?
Choose the answer that best fits the principle from this lesson.
Examples work best when you name the pattern to imitate and the content not to copy.