How to make ChatGPT write better for you

ChatGPT can write you a wedding speech or an essay for uni. No one will suspect. But how?

Have you ever struggled when asking ChatGPT to write a speech, article, or presentation, only for it to give back a typically “AI-sounding” response? It can hurt your confidence, especially if your business colleagues or wedding guests suspect AI helped craft your words.

How about learning how to refine your commands? Here are five tips to help you (and AI) become more proficient.

1. Adjust the formality

Whether you’re writing a LinkedIn post, delivering an elevator pitch or giving a thank you speech to a colleague leaving, you can adjust the tone to suit the situation. Prompts such as “write this more formally” or “ be more conversational” work well to set the vibe. Consider whether the writing should be academic, polished, or casual, and experiment with adjectives to add nuance.

For example, you might request something “polished yet approachable” or “lighthearted and playful.”

2. Simplify or add complexity

When writing a speech, understanding your audience is crucial. If writing for a layperson for example, you might prefer less jargon and simpler language. For an academic audience you may want to ask GPT to use a more sophisticated approach.

To enhance rhetorical questions or other techniques, provide specific details about the topic, tone, and context. For example, use ChatGPT to make the writing “evocative,” “engaging, or powerful.” You can also request multiple variations from different perspectives to explore various angles.

3. Refine sentence structure

How your sentences are structured affects readability. Do you want dynamic, complex sentences or shorter, punchier ones? Provide background information, like the type of content you’re creating. For example:

“I’m working on a marketing product launch and need something catchy.”

Longer sentences are ideal for storytelling or creating a visionary tone. A narrative-driven style can pull the audience in, while shorter sentences work better for marketing hooks. Keep experimenting and adjusting the balance until it feels right.

4. Use figurative language (or skip it)

Metaphors or no metaphors? That is the question. When used sparingly, metaphors can add depth and creativity. If your writing feels dry, request a playful, vivid, or dramatic tone. For example, when I asked GPT to create a metaphor for Jeep safety, it responded:

“Your family’s Jeep is like a guardian angel on wheels: always protecting you, no matter the journey.”

If the language feels too cliché, request originality. For the same example, GPT suggested comparisons like:

• “A well-trained guide dog."
• “A fortress in motion.”
• “A trusted compass.”

You can even specify how creative you want the metaphors to be, or skip figurative language altogether.

Example prompt:

“Rewrite this paragraph with vivid, emotional metaphors. Focus on themes of transformation and innovation, but keep it simple for a general audience.”

5. Balance conciseness and detail

Are you aiming for fast, skimmable content or something more detailed? For example:

• A report to senior management needs to be concise and to the point.
• Persuasive writing, on the other hand, may require more nuance and context.

For simplicity, you might prompt:

• “Summarize this article in two sentences.”
• “Turn this into a one-line takeaway.”

For added detail:

• “Expand this explanation with more detailed examples and context.”
• “Add background information to make this idea clearer.”

Experiment with both approaches to strike the right balance for your audience.