The CAIDE method: writing a prompt you can evaluate

Explain whom the result is for and which situation it addresses. The same information can become an introduction for beginners, an internal document or a sales presentation; each destination requires different decisions.

Instead of adding adjectives about how expert the assistant should be, provide usable materials and clear limits. Assigning a role in a prompt does not verify responses or replace professional review when the subject requires it.

The second element is the verb describing the work: summarise, compare, organise or propose. Mixing many actions without priorities may produce a lengthy answer that misses the part you need.

Split the work when useful. First request an outline from your notes; then review gaps and develop a section. This creates checkpoints before turning a draft into a finished document.

In the class, I add conditions about format, tone and content. These instructions describe what the answer should include and avoid. Relevant detail reduces ambiguity; repeating something with more words does not necessarily improve clarity.

You can ask for supplied data to be distinguished from suggestions, uncertainties to be marked and figures not to be invented. Then check that the response follows those conditions. Writing a constraint begins the review; it does not prove compliance.

An example makes a structure or style concrete. Keep it brief and representative of the format you want. If it contains fictional data, label it so it is not mixed with real information.

Here is an editorial exercise based on CAIDE: 'I am preparing meeting minutes for my team. Organise the attached notes into decisions, tasks and questions. Use short sentences; assign an owner and date only when present in the notes. Mark missing information as pending. Example format: task — owner — date — status.' Then add your reviewed notes without unnecessary data.

The demonstration also connects text with visual materials. Review structure and content before designing: an attractive cover does not fix an incomplete explanation. Check that the final document also preserves the approved draft's nuances.

Keep the request alongside your corrections. That version will be a better template than a prompt downloaded without context. CAIDE organises the request; your judgement determines whether the result is ready to publish or needs another pass.