Advanced Moves: Get AI to Explain, Check, Quiz, and Improve, Part 2
You can give AI rules to follow — no big words, no scary stuff, etc.
40 min · Reviewed 2026
The big idea
AI follows rules you give it. You can say 'use only words a 6-year-old knows' or 'no spooky parts please'. AI will try to stick to your rules.
Some examples
'Use only words a kindergartner would know.'
'Don't use any words longer than 8 letters.'
'Keep it 100% friendly and silly, no scary parts.'
'Only use words that start with the letter S.'
Try it!
Ask AI to write a short story where every animal name starts with the letter B. See if it can do it!
Here's why "Set Rules for AI Like 'Use Only Short Words'" matters: The words you type to an AI are called a prompt. Better words = better answers! You can give AI rules to follow — no big words, no scary stuff, etc — and knowing how to apply this gives you a concrete advantage.
Learn what "constraints" means and why it's important
Learn what "rules" means and why it's important
Learn what "filters" means and why it's important
Ask AI to explain your favourite animal like you're five
Ask AI to write a haiku about your school day
Ask AI for three ideas for a fun weekend activity
Prompting AI for Pictures Is Different from Words
The big idea
When you ask AI for a picture, it needs more than 'a cat'. Tell it the colors, the place, the style, and what the cat is doing — that's how you get a picture you actually love.
Some examples
'A fluffy orange cat sitting on a beach at sunset, cartoon style.'
'A tiny purple dragon flying over a candy mountain, watercolor style.'
'A robot reading a book in a library, drawn like a comic book.'
'A taco wearing a sombrero, in pixel-art style.'
Try it!
With a grown-up, ask a picture AI for the same scene twice — once with details, once without. Compare!
Ask AI to Re-Explain in Simpler Words
The big idea
Sometimes AI uses big words you don't know. Don't give up! Just say 'explain that again like I'm 6 years old' and AI will simplify the whole thing for you.
Some examples
'Say that again like you're talking to a 5-year-old.'
'Use only words a third-grader knows.'
'Pretend you're explaining this to my little brother.'
'Make it as simple as a kids' TV show.'
Try it!
Ask AI 'how do airplanes fly?' If it's confusing, say 'now explain like I'm 5'!
Ask AI to Score Its Own Answer 1 to 10
The big idea
After AI gives an answer, you can ask 'rate yourself 1 to 10 on that answer — and explain why.' AI will look back, find weak spots, and even offer to redo it. Sneaky cool trick!
Some examples
'Rate that story 1 to 10. What could be better?'
'Score your answer for clarity.'
'On a scale of 1-10, how funny was that joke?'
'Rate your own poem and improve it.'
Try it!
Ask AI to write a 3-line poem. Then ask it to rate the poem and rewrite it better!
Forcing AI to Answer in ONE Sentence
The big idea
If you say 'in one sentence,' AI will pick the most important idea and skip the rest.
Some examples
'In one sentence, what is gravity?'
'Sum up this story in one sentence.'
'Explain the rules of soccer in one sentence.'
Short answers can be powerful answers.
Try it!
Ask AI to explain your favorite hobby in one sentence. Was it good?
Here's why "Forcing AI to Answer in ONE Sentence" matters: The words you type to an AI are called a prompt. Better words = better answers! Asking for one sentence makes AI focus — and knowing how to apply this gives you a concrete advantage.
Learn what "constraints" means and why it's important
Learn what "brevity" means and why it's important
Learn what "prompting" means and why it's important
Ask AI to explain your favourite animal like you're five
Ask AI to write a haiku about your school day
Ask AI for three ideas for a fun weekend activity
How to Get AI to Ask You Questions First
The big idea
You can tell AI 'ask me questions before you answer' — then AI gathers info and gives a much better, custom reply.
Some examples
'Help me plan my birthday party. Ask me 5 questions first.'
'Help me write a story. Ask me what kind of character first.'
'Help me pick a book. Ask me about my favorite kinds of stories first.'
AI's answers get amazing once it knows what you actually want.
Try it!
Ask AI to help plan your dream sleepover. Add 'Ask me 5 questions first.' Then answer them and watch how good the plan gets!
The Recipe for a Really Good AI Prompt
The big idea
A great AI prompt has 4 parts: who AI should be, what to do, who it's for, and how to format it.
Some examples
'Be a science teacher (role). Explain rainbows (task). For a 9-year-old (audience). In 3 short paragraphs (format).'
Following this recipe gets way better answers than just 'tell me about rainbows.'
You can mix and match these 4 parts in any order.
More info = better answer, almost always.
Try it!
Pick something you want to learn. Build your own prompt with all 4 parts. Try it on AI and see how good the answer is!
Trying Again When the Answer Is Bad
The big idea
First try not great? No problem! Tell AI exactly what to fix. 'Make it shorter.' 'Make it sillier.' 'You got the math wrong — try again.' AI doesn't get its feelings hurt. It just tries again with your new instructions.
Some examples
'That's too long — try in 2 sentences.'
'Use easier words this time.'
'Skip the joke and just give the answer.'
'You spelled my dog's name wrong — it's Biscuit.'
Try it!
Ask AI a question. If the answer's not great, give it ONE clear fix. Did the second answer get better?
