Part 2 - Building Skill
7. Set Length and Tone
Goal: Control how long and how formal the answer is.
Length and tone are two dials you can set explicitly. Without them, the AI picks a default that is often too long and too neutral. State the length in concrete terms and describe the tone you want.
Concrete length beats vague length: 'in 50 words' or 'in 3 sentences' works better than 'briefly'. For tone, name it: friendly, formal, playful, reassuring, direct.
The Script (Template)
[Task]. Length: [about N words / N sentences]. Tone: [friendly / formal / playful].
Worked Example
You write
Write a message telling a friend I'll be 20 minutes late. Length: 2 sentences. Tone: warm and relaxed, not apologetic or dramatic.
AI replies (sample)
Hey! Running about 20 minutes behind - grab us a table and order me whatever looks good. See you soon!
Why it works
The 2-sentence limit kept it short and the 'warm, not apologetic' tone stopped the AI from over-apologising, which is its common default.
Do & Avoid
Tips
- Use word or sentence counts, not 'short' or 'long'.
- If an answer is too long, reply 'Cut it in half' instead of rewriting your prompt.
Common Mistakes
- Saying 'briefly' and being surprised by four paragraphs.
- Forgetting tone for messages to real people, so they sound robotic.
Practice
- Take one answer and re-request it at three lengths: 1 sentence, 50 words, 200 words.
- Write one message in a formal tone and the same in a playful tone.
Teacher Notes Suggested: 15 min
Learning objectives
- Students set explicit length and tone.
- Students use follow-ups to adjust length quickly.
Talking points
- Contrast 'briefly' with 'in 2 sentences' live.
- Show the 'cut it in half' follow-up trick.
Answer key / what good looks like
- Three-length versions should differ clearly in size, same core content.
- Tone versions should read noticeably differently.
Discussion questions
- Why does the AI default to long, and when is that a problem?