Ways2Raise

What does Format mean?

Format is the final instruction you give the AI — it tells the AI how to package the answer. Without a Format instruction, the AI makes its own decisions about length, tone, and structure. Sometimes those decisions are fine. Often they are not quite what you needed.

Format covers three main things:

📏

Length

How long should the answer be? "Under 150 words", "three short paragraphs", "a single sentence", "a bullet-point list of five items" — be specific.

🎭

Tone

How should it sound? "Friendly and warm", "professional and confident", "enthusiastic but not over the top", "simple enough for a 13-year-old to understand".

🗂️

Structure

How should it be laid out? "Use numbered steps", "write it as a letter with a proper greeting and sign-off", "give me a table", "use headings and subheadings".

⚡

Format in action — same content, different packaging

Imagine you ask the AI to explain how to run a bake sale. Here is how different Format instructions change the output:

Format: "Give me a numbered step-by-step list"

1. Choose a date and get permission from your school. 2. Decide what to bake and how much to make. 3. Set your prices... (etc.)

Format: "Write it as a one-paragraph summary I can read in 30 seconds"

A successful school bake sale starts with permission, a date, and a team. Bake a variety of items at different price points, advertise in advance, and make sure you have change on the day. Aim for a busy lunchtime slot...

Format: "Write it as a fun checklist a 13-year-old can follow"

☐ Get permission from your teacher ☐ Pick a date (lunchtime works best!) ☐ Decide what to bake — mix it up! ☐ Tell everyone at least a week before...

Same information. Three completely different outputs — each useful for a different purpose. Without a Format instruction, the AI would just pick one at random.

📝

Useful Format phrases to copy and use

Here is a list of Format instructions you can use or adapt. Bookmark this page — you will come back to it.

Length: "Under 150 words"

Length: "Three short paragraphs"

Tone: "Friendly but professional"

Tone: "Confident, not pushy"

Structure: "Numbered steps"

Structure: "Formatted as a letter"

Ending: "End with a clear call to action"

Audience: "Simple enough for a 13-year-old"

💡

You can combine them "Under 200 words, friendly tone, formatted as a letter with a proper sign-off, ending with a specific ask" — that is four Format instructions in one sentence. The AI will follow all of them.

🧩

Quick check

🎯 Knowledge Check

You want the AI to write a social media caption for your fundraiser. Which Format instruction would give you the most useful result?

No Format instruction — just let the AI decide

"Keep it short"

"Under 80 words, enthusiastic but genuine tone, end with a call to action and a link placeholder, suggest one relevant emoji"

"Write exactly: Hey everyone! Please donate to my fundraiser. Thanks!"

✏️ Build your Format instruction

Think about something you want the AI to write for your fundraising. Use the options below to build a Format instruction, then copy it into your next ChatGPT prompt.

Length

Tone

Structure

Ending

👀

Up next: Putting it all together

You now know all four parts of RTDF. In Lesson 6, you will put them all together into one complete, powerful prompt — and use it to write a real sponsorship letter for your own fundraising.

F is for Format