Writing prompts
Twenty prompts for the writing you do every day, from fixing a harsh message to proofreading with explanations, each with blanks to fill in.
Most everyday writing is not a novel. It is a message that has to sound right, a paragraph that has to make sense on the first read, a letter that has to get results. The twenty prompts below cover that kind of work: making text clearer and shorter, fixing tone, turning notes into outlines and outlines into paragraphs, proofreading with explanations, and a few personal pieces such as a toast, a thank-you note and a short bio.
Each prompt is written to keep you in control of the result. Several ask the model to show what it changed and why, so you can accept or reject each edit instead of swallowing a full rewrite. Others tell it not to add facts, because a language model will sometimes fill gaps with confident inventions. That matters most in reviews, bios and letters, where every claim carries your name.
The prompts work with any of the four Llama models in our chat. Llama 4 Maverick, the default, is a good choice for most writing; Llama 3.1 8B is quicker for short rewrites. If your text is long, paste one section at a time, since very long messages get trimmed. And remember that the model has no idea who your reader is until you say so: a line about the audience changes vocabulary, length and tone more than any other detail you can add.
For a single job, the Paraphraser and Grammar Checker pages are faster. For a longer piece, see how writers use the Llama chat.
How to adapt these prompts
- Fill every blank. Replace each [square-bracket] part with your own details; a blank left as it is gives a generic answer.
- Add a sample of your style. A paragraph you wrote and like teaches the model your voice better than adjectives do.
- Ask for options. "Give me three versions" makes it easier to see what you actually want.
- Keep editing in the same chat. Follow-ups such as "less formal" or "cut the second sentence" build on the last draft.
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01
Make a paragraph easier to read
Rewrite the paragraph below so a busy reader can follow it on the first try. Use shorter sentences and everyday words, keep every fact, and keep my tone [tone, e.g. warm or formal]: [paste paragraph]
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02
Write an opening that hooks the reader
I'm writing a [type of piece] about [topic] for [audience]. Give me five possible first lines, each using a different technique: a question, a surprising detail, a short scene, a bold claim and a quote-free anecdote. Say which one you would choose and why.
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03
Turn rough notes into an outline
Here are my rough notes for a [blog post or article] on [topic]: [paste notes]. Organise them into an outline with a working title, an introduction, three to five sections with subpoints, and a conclusion. Flag any gaps where I need more material.
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04
Soften a message that sounds harsh
This message to [person or group] came out sharper than I meant: [paste message]. Rewrite it so it stays honest and clear about [the problem] but sounds respectful and calm. Keep it about the same length.
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05
Write a formal complaint letter
Write a firm but polite complaint letter to [company or office] about [problem]. Include what happened on [date], what I have already tried, and what I want them to do: [desired outcome]. Keep it to one page and end with a reasonable deadline for a reply.
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06
Proofread and explain each fix
Proofread the text below for spelling, grammar and punctuation in [American or British] English. Show the corrected text first, then a numbered list of each change with a one-line reason, so I can learn from it: [paste text]
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07
Strip the jargon from a text
The text below is written for specialists in [field], but it will be read by [general audience]. Rewrite it in plain language, replace or explain every technical term, and keep the meaning accurate: [paste text]
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08
Cut a text to a word limit
Cut this text down to [number] words without losing its main points or its tone. Remove repetition and filler first, and tell me what else you removed so I can put back anything important: [paste text]
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09
Expand bullet points into paragraphs
Turn these bullet points into [number] connected paragraphs for [audience]. Keep my points in the same order, add smooth transitions, and don't invent facts or examples that aren't in the list: [paste bullets]
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10
Write a conclusion that adds something
Here is the body of my [essay or article]: [paste text]. Write a conclusion of about [number] words that doesn't simply repeat the introduction. Show why the argument matters, mention one open question, and end on a clear final sentence.
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11
Fix the flow between paragraphs
Read these paragraphs and tell me where the jumps between them feel abrupt. For each weak spot, suggest a linking sentence I could add at the start of the next paragraph, without changing the rest: [paste paragraphs]
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12
Brainstorm titles for a piece
Suggest twelve titles for my [type of piece] about [topic]. Mix styles: four plain and descriptive, four curious, four short and punchy. My readers are [audience], and the main point is [main point].
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13
Write a short toast
Write a [length]-minute toast for [occasion, e.g. my sister's wedding]. Some true details I want to include: [details]. Make it warm with one light joke, avoid embarrassing stories, and finish with a line that invites everyone to raise a glass.
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14
Write a heartfelt thank-you note
I want to thank [person] for [what they did]. Draft a note of around 80 words that names one concrete moment: [detail], says what difference it made to me: [effect], and sounds like me rather than a greeting card.
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15
Make weak sentences stronger
Find the weakest sentences in this text: passive constructions, vague verbs and piled-up nouns. Rewrite each one with a strong, specific verb and show the before and after side by side in a table: [paste text]
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16
Write step-by-step instructions
Write clear instructions for [task] for someone who has never done it. Start with what they need, then number each step with one action per step, add a warning where mistakes are common, and finish with how to check it worked. My notes: [paste notes]
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17
Shape an honest review from notes
Turn my notes into an honest review of [product, place or book] of about [number] words. Cover what I liked, what disappointed me and who I'd recommend it to. Keep my opinions and don't add praise I didn't give: [paste notes]
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18
Make a document consistent
Check this text for inconsistencies: spelling variants, capitalisation, number formats, date formats and terms used in two ways. List each one with the form I should use throughout, following [style, e.g. British spelling], then show the fixed text: [paste text]
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19
Write a short professional bio
Write a third-person bio of about [number] words for [where it will appear, e.g. a conference program]. Facts about me: [role, experience, interests, one personal detail]. Make it friendly and specific, and also give me a one-sentence version.
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20
Rewrite for a different reader
Rewrite the text below for [new audience, e.g. ten-year-olds or company directors]. Change the vocabulary, examples and length to suit them, keep the facts the same, and tell me which ideas you dropped as too detailed: [paste text]
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