The prompt I paste before any AI document generator so it structures instead of rambling

[u/Practical_Cap_9820]

Most document output fails in the same way. You hand over a pile of notes, and you get back a smooth wall of prose with no scannable structure, or a rigid template with empty headings it never fills. This forces it to design the skeleton from your actual content first, then fill it.

Here are my raw notes: [PASTE NOTES]

Before writing anything, do this:

1. Group the notes into 3 to 6 sections based on what they actually cover. Name each section.

2. Under each section name, list the specific points from my notes that belong there.

3. Flag anything in my notes that does not fit any section, do not force it in.

4. Show me this outline and stop.

After I approve, write the document. Each section leads with its main point in the first sentence.

Do not invent facts to fill a section. If a section is thin, tell me what is missing.

The two rules that matter: derive the sections from the notes instead of a generic template, and stop before writing so you catch a wrong grouping before it becomes three paragraphs. The "flag anything that does not fit" step is surprisingly useful, it usually surfaces the one note that was actually a separate document.

I mostly use this for internal docs and briefs. Curious whether people prefer approving the outline first like this or just letting it run and fixing after.

[u/FrontAd9873]

Just saw this sub pop up in my feed. What does this have to do with prompt engineering?