Module 2: Setting the Right Tone and Style in AI Interactions

Introduction

The tone you set in your prompts influences the style and attitude of the AI’s responses. Whether you want a formal academic explanation or a casual summary, specifying the tone can tailor the output to your needs.

Understanding tone is especially useful when using AI to draft emails, prepare presentations, or create study guides.

Using Tone and Style Effectively:

• Specify tone and formality: Indicate if you need a formal tone (e.g., “Write this email in a professional tone.”) or a casual one (e.g., “Explain this like you’re talking to a friend.”).
• Match the audience: Consider who will read the AI-generated text. For academic work, maintain formality and clarity.
• Request examples or analogies: To enhance understanding, ask AI to include examples or comparisons relevant to your audience.

Real-World Example:

Imagine you need to email your professor about a deadline extension. Instead of simply saying, “Write an email about my assignment delay,” you specify: “Draft a polite and professional email to my professor explaining why I need an extension on my assignment, and express appreciation for their understanding.”

Reflection:

• When communicating with AI, how do you usually set the tone of your prompts?
• How can you improve the alignment between your prompt tone and your desired audience?

Activity: Write two prompts for AI: one for a formal academic essay introduction, and another for a casual explanation of the same topic. Compare the results and reflect on how tone affects the output.