Small additions with large effects.
AGAINST INVENTION
"Do not invent any fact I have not supplied."
The single most valuable constraint.
AGAINST PREAMBLE
"No preamble. Start with the answer."
Removes the opening paragraph that says nothing.
AGAINST SUMMARIES
"Do not summarise at the end."
AGAINST HEDGING
"Do not hedge. State things directly."
Use carefully where uncertainty is genuine.
AGAINST COMMITMENTS
"Do not commit to any timescale or price I have not given you."
Essential for anything customer-facing.
AGAINST PHRASES YOU DISLIKE
"Do not use: [your list]."
Genuinely effective.
FOR LENGTH
"Around [number] words."
Without it you get whatever it defaults to.
FOR FORMAT
"Continuous prose, no bullet points" or the reverse.
Models default to lists whether or not they suit.
FOR SOURCES
"Answer only from the material provided. If something is not in it, say so."
