Context First
Explain the situation before asking the question. The AI has no background knowledge about you or your project.
Sprint 2 · Module 3ca. 10 Min
Communication:Formulate Clearly
To understand AI, you must learn how to speak. The foundation for every successful dialogue.
Discover
Self-Check
How well do you communicate with AI?
Three quick questions about your current habits. Be honest — this is about growth, not judgment.
Question 1
Do you explain the situation before asking your question?
Context first — or straight to the point?
Question 2
Do you avoid vague words like "something", "good", or "better"?
Precision beats length.
Question 3
Do you assign the AI a specific role for the task?
Expert, coach, or critic?
Most people answer "no" to at least one. That's exactly why this module exists. Small changes in how you formulate your prompts lead to dramatically better results.
"Communication is not what is said, but what is understood."
— Paul Watzlawick
The 4 Pillars
Clear Communication with AI
Four rules that transform mediocre prompts into powerful instructions.
Precise Not Vague
Avoid words like "something", "good", "better". Replace them with concrete descriptions and measurable criteria.
Assign Roles
Let the AI slip into a role: expert, coach, critic. The response quality changes dramatically with the right persona.
Define Format
Specify the desired output: table, list, text. One sentence at the end of your prompt saves endless follow-up questions.
The W-Framework
The 5 W Questions for Better Prompts
Before you write a prompt, answer these five questions. Your results will improve instantly.
Who?
Target audience or role. Who is this for? Who should the AI be?
W
W
What?
Specific task. What exactly should be created or answered?
Where?
Context and setting. Where will this be used? What is the environment?
W
W
When?
Timeframe and recency. When is this relevant? How current should the information be?
How?
Format, style, and tone. How should the result look and feel?
W
From Practice
Before → After
Three real scenarios. See how a small change in formulation creates a massive difference in results.
Writing an Email
Before
"Write an email to my boss."
After
"Write a professional email to my department head requesting a deadline extension for the Q3 report by 3 days. Polite but confident tone."
Result: A ready-to-send message instead of a generic template.
Meeting Summary
Before
"Summarize the meeting."
After
"Summarize this meeting transcript. Focus on decisions made, open action items with owners, and deadlines. Bullet points, max. one page."
Result: A structured summary with clear next steps.
Creating a Presentation
Before
"Make a presentation about sustainability."
After
"Create a 10-slide outline for a 20-minute presentation on corporate sustainability for a management board. Include business case, KPIs, and implementation timeline."
Result: A complete, structured outline ready for slide creation.
Knowledge Check
Quick Quiz: Already Learned?
Test your knowledge from this module.
1
What is the most important rule for good AI communication?
2
Which question is missing from the W-Framework?
3
Why should you give the AI a role?
"The quality of your answer depends directly on the quality of your question."
— PLU KI Academy
Tools
These Tools Support Your Communication
Three leading AIs that help you put the principles into practice.
Popular
C
ChatGPT
OpenAIThe all-rounder. Excellent for everyday communication, drafting, and refining your prompts through dialogue.
- Natural conversations
- Great for iterative refinement
- Voice mode available
Premium
C
Claude
AnthropicParticularly strong in detailed responses. Ideal when you need nuanced, well-structured communication.
- Long, detailed answers
- Excellent at following complex instructions
- Large context window
Research
P
Perplexity
Perplexity AIResearch-focused with real-time sources. Perfect when your communication needs to be backed by current facts.
- Cited sources in every answer
- Real-time web search
- Great for fact-checking
Summary
What You Should Take With You
The three most important insights from this module.
Context First
Explain the situation before the question. The AI has no background knowledge about you.
Precision Beats Length
Short and concrete beats long and vague. One precise sentence is worth more than a paragraph of fluff.
Use Roles
Expert, coach, critic – assign the right persona and watch the response quality jump.
Ready to lead real AI dialogues?
Continue to Dialog Basics
Your Learning Path
Sprint 2: Apply
Three modules that turn theory into practice. You are here: Module 1 of 3.
Communication
Formulate clearly. Context, precision, roles, and format.
Dialog Basics
Lead conversations. Ask follow-ups, correct course, stay in control.
Dialog Pro
Advanced techniques. Chains of thought, multi-step prompts, reasoning.