Prompt Literacy and Strategies for Prompting AI

How to Use GenAI: Prompt Literacy

Prompt Literacy Strategies

Here are important strategies to remember as you interact with GenAI chatbots:

• Engage in Conversations. Chatbots are designed so you can talk (chat) with them. The term “chatbot” comes from the words “chatter” and “robot.”  The bot’s first response may or may not be what you think you need at that moment. Continue the conversation, ask follow up questions, and/or revise your initial prompt to get more improved or specific responses. 

• Give Chatbots a Personal and Educational Context for Your Prompts. To personalize your interactions with chatbots, begin by providing context (e.g., the grade level that you teach, challenges you've faced this year while teaching). However, make sure not to provide any personal or sensitive data (e.g., where you work, names of your students) because GenAI tools collect user input data, oftentimes for many years or permanently (read "Google saves your conversations with Gemini for years by default.")  

• Give Chatbots a Specific Role and Assignment. Chatbots can function well when given a specific role to perform along with specific directions for what to do in that role. Here is an example of giving a chatbot the role of an experienced teacher who is seeking to design interactive learning experiences for (AI for Education, 2023): 

  1. • Example Prompt 1: “You are a [GRADE LEVEL / CONTENT AREA] teacher with over 20 years of experience designing effective learning experiences for students with diverse learning needs. Suggest [DESIRED NUMBER] alternate instructional strategies for teaching my [GRADE LEVEL] students [TOPIC]. I have already tried [DESCRIBE STRATEGIES USED]. My students are having difficulty with [DESCRIBE DIFFICULTIES]. They are [DESCRIBE STUDENTS]. Tailor the alternate strategies to this description."

     • Example Prompt 2: "I'm a school district superintendent who will be hiring a new elementary school principal. You are a hiring specialist for a world-class talent search firm. Please review the interview questions below. Then provide three suggestions for how the questions could be reworded for greater clarity. Next, provide six additional questions that require the applicant to apply their knowledge of responding to post-pandemic school challenges" (Washington Association of School Administrators AI Prompt Library, 2021). 

• Experiment with giving chatbots specific roles to discover which ones will provide you with the ideas and information you need for your teaching.

• Try Custom Instructions before writing your prompts so you do not have to write the same instructions for every prompt (read "Results May Vary" by Lance Eaton, Ph.D. to learn more). 

Prompt Literacy Resources

• Prompt Literacy: A Pivotal Educational Skill in the Age of AI. Sai Gattupalli, Robert W. Maloy & Sharon A. Edwards.

• Say What You See. A Google Experiment to practice writing prompts to create a similar image to the AI-generated one.

• Twinpics.ai. Similar to "Say What You See" - you have one chance daily to write a prompt to generate an image similar to the AI-generated one provided. 

• Getting started with AI: Good enough prompting, Ethan Mollick.

• Innovation through prompting: Democratizing educational technology... and more, Ethan Mollick.

• No elephants: Breakthroughs in image generation (see the "Prompting but for images" section), Ethan Mollick. 

• Captain's log: the irreducible weirdness of prompting AIs, Ethan Mollick. 

• Mollick, Ethan R. and Mollick, Lilach. (2023). Assigning AI: Seven Approaches for Students, with Prompts. The Wharton School Research Paper.

Research Prompt

Summarize research information about [TOPIC] for students to evaluate and then add to their research from print and online sources.

• ChatGPT version of a research prompt: “Provide a clear, student-friendly summary of the most important research information about [TOPIC]. Organize the summary into key ideas, definitions, and examples that K–12 students can easily understand. Highlight at least 3 reliable sources (with links when available) that students could explore further. End with 2–3 guiding questions students can use to evaluate this information and connect it to additional research they will gather from print and online sources.”

Discussion/Debate Prompt

Provide information about [TOPIC] that includes information for those in favor, those opposed, and those who are undecided about a policy idea or change proposal.

• ChatGPT version of a discussion/debate prompt: “Provide clear, student-friendly information about [TOPIC] to prepare for a class discussion or debate. Organize the response into three sections:

  • Arguments in Favor – include 3–5 key points with examples or evidence.

  • Arguments Opposed – include 3–5 key points with examples or evidence.

  • Undecided or Middle Ground – explain why some people remain uncertain, highlighting trade-offs, unanswered questions, or conditions that could shift opinions.

• Conclude with a short list of 2–3 discussion questions that encourage students to evaluate these perspectives, compare them with their own ideas, and practice respectful debate.”

Persuasive Writing prompt

Draft a written Praise or Oppose statement about [TOPIC] that seeks to persuade readers to adopt your point of view so students can then write an argument for the opposing position on the issue.

• ChatGPT version of a persuasive writing prompt: “Draft a persuasive statement about [TOPIC] that either praises (supports) or opposes the idea. Write it in a clear, student-friendly style, using:

  • • A strong claim (your main argument).

    • At least 3 supporting reasons with examples or evidence.

    • Persuasive techniques (e.g., emotional appeal, facts, comparisons, or rhetorical questions).

  • Conclude with a call to action that encourages the reader to adopt your point of view. After writing this statement, briefly outline how someone might argue the opposite position to prepare students for writing their counterargument.”

Informative Writing prompt

Draft a written statement about [TOPIC] that seeks to inform and explain readers about the topic and what it means to them as individuals and community members.

• ChatGPT version of an informative writing prompt: "Write an informative essay about [TOPIC] that clearly explains what it is, why it matters, and how it affects both individuals and communities. Begin with an engaging introduction that defines the topic, gives background information, and states your main idea. In the body, include key facts, examples, and evidence to support your points, and explain the topic’s impact on daily life, society, or the world around us. Conclude by summarizing the main ideas and leaving readers with a clear sense of why the topic is important. Aim to make your writing accurate, organized, and meaningful for an audience that may not know much about the subject."

Video Script prompt

Generate ideas for a script for a [Length] video about [TOPIC] to inform viewers about a civic or educational policy. Include KEYWORDS such as BENEFITS OF or FACTS ABOUT that students can consider using their video.

• ChatGPT version of a video script prompt: "Generate a detailed script outline for a [Length] video about [TOPIC] that informs viewers about a civic or educational policy. The script should include:

  • Hook/Opening: An engaging way to capture attention (a question, surprising fact, or short scenario).

  • Introduction: A clear explanation of the policy, including background and context.

  • Key Content: At least 3–4 main points supported with FACTS ABOUT the policy and BENEFITS OF it for individuals and communities. Use clear, student-friendly language and examples.

  • Conclusion/Call to Action: A memorable closing that summarizes the main points and encourages viewers to think or act.

• Please provide suggested keywords, phrases, or taglines (e.g., “benefits of,” “facts about,” “impact on our community”) that students can incorporate into their narration or on-screen text."

Policy Proposal/Funding Proposal Review prompt

Act as a [LOCAL, STATE, OR NATIONAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL] or [SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OR ADMINISTRATOR] or [COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION BOARD] who will be reading a student written public or educational policy or funding proposal and engage students in a conversation about their ideas and plans.

• ChatGPT version of a policy proposal/funding prompt: "Act as a [Local, State, or National Government Official], [School Principal or Administrator], or [Community Organization Board Member] who is reviewing a student-written public or educational policy or funding proposal. Read the student’s proposal as if you were a real decision-maker.

  • Ask clarifying and challenging questions about their ideas, goals, evidence, and funding plan.

  • Provide feedback on the strengths of their proposal and point out areas where more detail or justification is needed.

  • Consider the practical challenges (budget limits, community concerns, legal issues, etc.) and raise them in the conversation.

  • Encourage students to think critically about the impact of their proposal on individuals, schools, and the community.

• Engage the student in a realistic back-and-forth dialogue, as if this were an authentic policy review or funding request meeting."

Diverse History/Social Justice Design Project prompt

Provide design ideas for a [MONUMENT, IMAGE, OR OTHER ARTIFACT] that affirms diverse histories and present-day goals of equity and social justice for [WOMEN and/or AFRICAN AMERICAN, LATINX, NATIVE AMERICAN, LGBTQIA+, or DIS/ABLED  INDIVIDUALS and PEOPLE].

• ChatGPT version of a diverse history/social justice prompt: "Design a [MONUMENT, IMAGE, OR OTHER ARTIFACT] that celebrates and affirms the diverse histories, cultural contributions, and present-day goals of equity and social justice for [WOMEN and/or AFRICAN AMERICAN, LATINX, NATIVE AMERICAN, LGBTQIA+, or DIS/ABLED INDIVIDUALS and COMMUNITIES]. In your response, describe:

  • Concept and Theme – What story, values, or historical/social justice movement does the artifact represent?

  • Design Elements – What symbols, colors, materials, or artistic styles communicate the message of equity and justice?

  • Location and Audience – Where might this artifact be placed or shared, and who is its intended audience?

  • Impact – How will the design foster awareness, reflection, empowerment, or action toward greater social justice?

  • Inclusivity – How does the artifact ensure that diverse perspectives and voices are honored and represented?"