Phase 3: Writing & Content With AI · 30 min · ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini (any)
Drafting vs. Editing Prompts
Creating from nothing and improving what exists are different jobs. Use different prompts for each.
Hiring signal: What changes when you use this: you stop asking AI to 'write something' when you should be asking it to 'improve something' — and your output quality jumps because you're using the right tool for the right job.
What you will learn
- Write drafting prompts that produce usable first drafts from nothing
- Write editing prompts that improve existing text
- Know when to draft vs when to edit
- Give the AI something to react to instead of asking it to generate from scratch
The Problem
Most people use AI in one mode: "write me [thing]." They ask it to create from scratch every time. But AI is actually better at editing than drafting — it's easier to improve something that exists than to generate something good from nothing.
The two modes need different prompts, and knowing which one to use is a quick win.
Drafting Prompts
Drafting is when you need the AI to create something from scratch. You have no starting text — you have an idea and you need words on the page.
When to draft:
- You have nothing written yet
- You need a first draft to react to
- You're exploring a topic you don't know well enough to write about
- You need structure (an outline, a framework) before you can write
Drafting prompt pattern:
I need to write [type of content] for [audience] about [topic]. The key points are [list]. The tone should be [tone with comparison]. Keep it [length]. Start with [hook/angle].
Example:
I need to write a LinkedIn post for startup founders about why most "AI strategy" decks are useless. The key points are: (1) most AI strategy is just a list of tools, not a plan, (2) the real question is "what does AI change about how we deliver value?", (3) a 3-step framework for actually thinking about AI strategy. Tone: direct and slightly provocative, like a friend giving honest advice over coffee. Keep it under 300 words. Start with a contrarian hook.
Unlock the full lesson
You've read the first 2 sections. The rest of this lesson covers Editing Prompts, The Draft-Then-Edit Workflow, Your Practice Rep — plus a hands-on lab, quiz, and project artifact.
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