Interrogation-first brief

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I need you to write a [DOCUMENT TYPE] about [TOPIC].

Before you write anything, ask me the 5–7 questions you need answered to produce the best possible output. Ask them one at a time and wait for my answer before asking the next. Only start writing after you have all the answers.

How to use it well

1. Replace every [BRACKETED] placeholder - vague inputs produce vague outputs.
2. Add your role and constraints at the top if your assistant does not already know them.
3. Critique the first answer explicitly (“too generic because…”) and ask for a second pass.
4. Save the version that worked into a project or system prompt so you never retype it.