Generative AI: Using GenAI

• Specify the format. Do you want a poem, list, paragraph, code, or something else?
• Set limits or rules. How long should it be? What tone or style should it have—formal, casual, funny?
• Give the AI a role. Ask it to act like a teacher, a student, a business expert, etc.
• Explain how much detail you need. Do you want a quick summary or an in-depth explanation? 

Examples

• "I am preparing a 6-page, undergraduate-level paper on biofuels vs fossil fuels for my electrical engineering class. Develop a list of key arguments on the positives of biofuels and the positives of fossil fuels with citations."
• "Write a 250 word summary in an academic tone about the connection between biodiesel and crop waste. Act as an expert in the field." 
• "Synthesize this article and break the arguments down to a grade 12 level." 

Sustainability tip: Limit the scope by asking for summaries, bullet points, or short answers. Smaller tasks need less computing power. 

Adapted from Scholarly Use of AI Tools (University of Victoria) and Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Students (Camosun College).

• Break large tasks into smaller steps.
• Create a sequence of focused prompts.
• Build on previous responses.

Examples

• Unstructured prompt: "Write a comprehensive marketing plan for a new product."
• Structured prompt: "Create a comprehensive marketing plan for a new plant-based energy drink launching in North America. The plan should include the following sections:

1. Executive Summary – A brief overview of the product and marketing goals.
2. Market Research – Target audience, market trends, and competitor analysis.
3. Marketing Goals – Clear, measurable objectives (e.g., sales targets, brand awareness).
4. Marketing Strategies – Product positioning, pricing, promotion, and distribution channels.
5. Digital Marketing Plan – Social media, email campaigns, SEO, and influencer partnerships.
6. Budget Breakdown – Estimated costs for each marketing activity.
7. Timeline – Key milestones and launch phases over the next 12 months.
8. Metrics for Success – How performance will be tracked and evaluated.

Use a professional tone and format the plan as if it were being presented to potential investors or company leadership."

Sustainability tip: Multi-step prompts are powerful but energy-heavy. Only use them when needed and keep steps focused. Plan ahead and run related prompts all at once. 

Adapted from Scholarly Use of AI Tools (University of Victoria).

Adjust and improve your prompt by evaluating the performance of the generative AI tool based on your own assessments of the answers it gives.

• Test and adjust your prompts.
• Refine prompts based on past responses.
• Try different approaches if needed.

Examples

Once an AI tool generates an initial response, you can simply add a follow-up. There is no need to repeat the context and other parameters. For example:

• “Make it funnier."
• "Now, rewrite this paragraph in the same style."
• “Explain it to college students who are English majors using analogies they will understand.”

Sustainability tip: Avoid unnecessary retries by planning what you want before you start. Every time you rephrase a prompt, it uses more energy. 

Adapted from Scholarly Use of AI Tools (University of Victoria) and Effective Prompts for AI (MIT).

• Pick the right tool. Not every task needs GenAI. Use a calculator or do a quick search if that’s faster and simpler.
• Be clear and specific. Vague prompts often take more tries to get good answers, which uses more energy. 
• Limit the scope by asking for summaries, bullet points, or short answers. Smaller tasks need less computing power. 
• Avoid unnecessary retries by planning what you want before you start. Every time you rephrase a prompt, it uses more energy. 
• Batch your prompts by planning ahead and running related prompts all at once. Doing similar tasks together is more efficient. 
• Only use prompt chains when needed, and keep steps focused. Multi-step prompts are powerful but energy-heavy. 
• Reuse good prompts to save time and energy. Keep a list of prompts that have worked well for you. 

Generative AI can help you come up with search terms for your research, which you can use when searching the library catalogue and databases. Try prompts like:

• I’m writing a paper on how social media affects mental health in teenagers. Give me a list of keywords I can use in a library database.
• Give me alternative search terms for "climate change" that I can use in an academic database.
• I want to research education, but that’s too broad. Come up with more specific search terms related to education.
• I’m studying the impact of fast food on health. What search terms should I use in a health science database vs. a sociology database?
• Help me create a Boolean search using keywords related to "renewable energy" and "government policy".
• Design a step-by-step strategy for searching ScienceDirect for up-to-date research on renal failure in children.

Generative AI can help you summarize and understand sources such as webpages, articles, and other documents. Try prompts like:

• Summarise the main themes in this report.
• What are the main takeaways from this article?
• Explain what <term> means in the context of this page.
• Give me some background information about the main topics in this report.

Adapted from AI in Education: Summarising Sources (University of Sydney).

Generative AI can help you create outlines for your assignments. Make sure you follow all guidelines for your course and acknowledge your use of AI. Try prompts like:

• Create a detailed outline for a 5-paragraph persuasive essay arguing why community colleges should offer more online classes. Include a thesis statement, topic sentences, and supporting points.
• Outline a 3-minute speech about the benefits of learning a second language for children. Include an introduction, 2–3 main points, and a conclusion.
• Create an outline for a group project for an Intro to Business college class. The project is to design and present a small business plan. Include sections like market research, product description, marketing strategy, and budget. Divide the work fairly between 3 group members.
• Make an outline for a research paper on the impact of social media on mental health among teenagers. Include an introduction, 3 main sections with subpoints, and a conclusion.

Generative AI can help proofread and edit your work. Copy and paste what you have written into an AI tool, and try prompts like:

• Check this paragraph for grammar and spelling mistakes.
• Proofread this short essay and suggest ways to make it clearer and easier to read.
• How can I make this paragraph more engaging to the reader? Why is your suggestion an improvement?
• Rewrite this paragraph in an academic style. Explain any changes you make.
• Review my thesis statement. Tell me if the grammar, word choice, and structure is appropriate for a college-level course.
• I am a community college student. I wrote this essay on [topic] for my [course and/or program name] class. Please help me improve it without changing my ideas or voice. I want feedback on: clarity and flow; grammar and sentence structure; word choice; transitions and organization; and anything else that would help make it stronger. Here's my writing: [paste or attach your work].

Adapted from AI in Education: Proofreading your Work (University of Sydney).

Generative AI tools can help you study. Try prompts like: 

• Here are my notes from today's biology lecture. Summarize the key points and help me create a study guide.
• I'm having trouble understanding how supply and demand work in economics. Explain it in simple terms with examples.
• I'm studying for my anatomy exam. Generate 10 multiple-choice questions to help me review the muscular system.
• I have exams in math, history, and English next week. Create a 5-day study schedule that balances all three subjects.
• Turn these psychology terms and definitions into digital flashcards I can use to study.