Your AI cheat sheet

1. Start

1. Go to chatgpt.com. You don’t need an account to try it.
2. Type your question in the box at the bottom, the way you’d ask a helpful friend.
3. Press Enter or tap the arrow.

2. Ask well

Say who it’s for and what you want back.

Instead of “Write a birthday message.”

Try “Write a short, funny birthday message for my sister, who loves gardening. Two sentences.”

3. Good first questions

• “Explain this letter in plain words and tell me if I need to do anything.” Then type or paste it.
• “Plan five easy dinners for two. We don’t eat fish. Give me one shopping list.”
• “Help me write a polite text to my landlord about a broken heater.”
• “I see my doctor about knee pain next week. What should I ask?”

4. If the answer is off, just reply

• “Shorter, please.”
• “Explain that in simpler words.”
• “Give me the steps one at a time.”
• “Try again, but friendlier.”
• “Are you sure? Where can I check that?”

5. Stay safe

• Never type passwords, bank or card numbers, or your Social Security number.
• It can be wrong and still sound sure. For health, money and legal matters, check with a person you trust.
• The free version is enough to start. You don’t have to pay.
• Nobody from an AI company will call or email you asking for money or a code. If someone does, it’s a scam.

Want the question written for you? otterpotter.org/ask