chatgpt-prompt-repair-clinic
Module 5 · Lesson 4 of 4 · Course Lesson 19 of 26
Prompt Repair Clinic
Troubleshoot weak prompts before blaming the answer. Diagnose the underlying problem, repair only what is needed and test whether the revised prompt produces a more useful result.
- Beginner
- About 22 minutes
- Four-case repair worksheet
- 4-question check
Learning Objectives
What you will learn
By the end of this clinic, you will be able to:
- Diagnose vague, overloaded, contradictory and context-poor prompts.
- Separate a large request into manageable stages.
- Remove or prioritise instructions that cannot all be satisfied.
- Supply an example or source material when style or factual accuracy matters.
- Repair four flawed prompts using the ITIAN CLEAR method.
- Test a repaired prompt and compare its response with the original.
Four Common Diagnoses
Name the problem before repairing it
Vague
The task or definition of success is unclear, so ChatGPT must make important choices.
Symptoms: “make it better”, “write something”, no audience or output goal.Overloaded
Several substantial jobs are packed into one request without priorities or stages.
Symptoms: omissions, shallow coverage, mixed deliverables and inconsistent detail.Contradictory
Two requirements cannot both be met, or the prompt gives competing directions.
Symptoms: “comprehensive in 50 words”, “formal and very casual”, unclear priority.Context-poor
The prompt refers to information, examples or circumstances that were never provided.
Symptoms: “match our style”, “use the report”, missing facts, location or audience.One prompt can have several problems
Choose the primary diagnosis—the issue most likely to prevent a useful answer—then repair secondary issues. Do not add complexity merely to make the prompt look more sophisticated.
Repair Process
Diagnose → Prioritise → Repair → Test → Compare
Diagnose
Name the prompt’s primary problem.
Prioritise
Decide the essential goal and constraints.
Repair
Add, remove, split or clarify instructions.
Test
Run the original and repaired prompts fairly.
Compare
Check relevance, accuracy and usability.
Three Repair Techniques
Make the smallest change that solves the problem
Split large tasks into stages
Ask for a plan or first deliverable, review it, then continue. This reduces omissions and lets you correct direction early.
Remove conflicting instructions
Choose a priority, realistic length and compatible tone. State which requirement wins if a trade-off remains.
Supply examples or source material
Attach or paste the material you expect ChatGPT to use. Label it clearly and explain what should be copied versus adapted.
Interactive Repair Worksheet
Diagnose and repair four prompts
Choose the primary diagnosis and write a repaired version. Your work is saved in this browser. The answer guide becomes available after checking.
Suggested answer guide
Case 1 · Vague
The prompt does not identify the source text, audience or desired improvement.
Rewrite the attached workshop introduction for adult beginners. Keep the facts unchanged, use a warm professional tone and reduce it to 120 words. Improve clarity and replace jargon with plain language.Case 2 · Overloaded
The request contains several major projects. Begin with a discovery and planning stage.
We are planning a twelve-week beginner landscape-photography course. Stage 1 only: ask me up to eight questions about learners, outcomes, delivery and resources. Then propose a one-page module outline for review. Do not write lessons or marketing material yet.Case 3 · Contradictory
The length, depth, tone, audience, jurisdiction and guarantee conflict. Reduce the scope and require qualified checking.
For a New Zealand small-business audience, draft a plain-language 300-word overview of the main safety responsibilities for [activity]. State that it is general information, cite current official New Zealand sources and list questions requiring qualified legal or safety advice.Case 4 · Context-poor
The report, style example, audience, figures and deadline are unavailable.
Using the attached approved report and example email, draft a customer update for [audience]. Use the example for tone and structure but use only figures and dates confirmed in the report. If the deadline is not stated, insert [DEADLINE TO CONFIRM] rather than guessing.Optional Extension Challenge
Repair a prompt with more than one diagnosis
Make a brilliant complete business plan and website for my idea. Keep it very detailed but under 200 words, match my brand, use the research and guarantee it will make a profit.
Look for all four problem types
Ask what information is missing, which requirements conflict, how the project should be staged and which outcome can never be guaranteed.
Before Testing
A repaired prompt should pass these checks
A better prompt cannot create missing truth
If the source material is wrong, incomplete or unavailable, clearer wording will not fix the evidence. Obtain reliable information and verify important outputs independently.
Practical Activity
Repair four prompts and test one
Complete the clinic worksheet above, then choose one repaired prompt for a fair before-and-after test. Progress is stored in this browser.
Knowledge Check
Check your understanding
Finish the Module
Record your progress
Official References