How do I prompt a chatbot to ask me clarifying questions?
Use a direct instruction
The simplest way is to include an explicit instruction in your prompt. Chatbots follow clear commands well, so say something like: 'Ask me clarifying questions before you answer.' You can specify how many questions and what they should cover.
For best results, put this instruction at the very beginning or end of your prompt. Some chatbots pay more attention to the start or end of the input. Also, tell the bot what to do after you answer: 'Once I answer, give me your full response.'
- Ask me 3 clarifying questions before answering.
- First, ask questions to understand my goal, audience, and constraints.
- Don't answer until you've asked me at least 2 questions.
- After I reply, summarize my answers and then proceed.
Set a back-and-forth pattern
You can also tell the chatbot to treat the conversation as a dialogue. For example: 'We'll go back and forth. You ask a question, I answer, then you ask the next.' This works well for complex tasks like planning a project or writing a detailed report.
If the bot forgets to ask questions, remind it: 'You didn't ask clarifying questions. Please ask them now.' Most chatbots will correct themselves.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the chatbot will ask questions on its own without being told.
- Giving a vague instruction like 'be helpful' instead of explicitly asking for questions.
- Not specifying what the questions should be about, so the bot asks irrelevant things.
