The Right Way to Ask ChatGPT to Edit Your Writing | With Examples

【Why isn't it editing well...? The reason lies in 'how you ask'】

Have you ever had the experience of asking ChatGPT to edit your writing, only for the results to not be what you expected?

In fact, the key to maximizing ChatGPT's capabilities lies in the 'correct way to ask'.

In this article, we will explain in an easy-to-understand way, with concrete examples, the correct method for asking ChatGPT to edit your writing, which even beginners can easily do.

【Let's clarify what you mean by editing】

First, as a major premise, the meaning of 'editing' varies from person to person.

• I want you to fix typos and omissions

• I want you to correct the grammar

• I want you to make the text easier to read

• I want you to correct the honorifics

• I want you to change the structure of the text

• I want you to use professional phrasing

These are all 'editing,' but if you don't clearly tell ChatGPT 'what purpose you want it edited for,' the likelihood of getting output that differs from your expectations increases.

🔍 Example: 'I want you to edit my job application statement into natural honorifics'

✕ 'Edit this text' 〇 'Please edit the following job application statement to make it easier for the reader to understand and correct it into natural honorifics'

Specifying the purpose and the tone together is the key to success.

【Template for having ChatGPT edit your writing】

When having ChatGPT edit your writing, it is effective to use the following template.

📌 Basic Template

'Please edit the following text for [Purpose] in a [Tone or Style].'

[Purpose]: Improving clarity / Natural phrasing / Converting to honorifics / For business documents, etc.

[Tone]: Polite / Friendly / Logical / Casual, etc.

🔍 Example: When you want to make an email to a university professor sound business-like

"Please edit the following text to be business-like so that it is not rude to a university professor."

Subject: Regarding tomorrow's seminar Body: Professor, what time was tomorrow's seminar again?

→ Edited result: Subject: Regarding the start time of tomorrow's seminar Body: Thank you for your hard work. Regarding the 〇〇 seminar, could you please confirm what time it will start tomorrow? I apologize for the inconvenience, but thank you in advance.

[Examples of how to ask by specific purpose]

1. When you want to make it easier to read

"Please edit the following text to make it easier to read and to ensure the intended message is clearly conveyed."

2. When you want to soften the emotional expression

"Please edit the following text so that it does not sound aggressive and has a softer impression."

3. When you want to make the writing sound professional

"Please edit the following text by refining the vocabulary and structure so that it flows like something written by a professional writer."

4. When you want to make an SNS post easier to read

"Please edit the following Instagram post to make it easier to view, adjusting punctuation and line breaks."

[Points to note when having text edited]

1. Providing context and situation in advance improves accuracy

   • Just adding a word about "who the text is for" or "what the purpose is" will greatly improve the quality of the output.

2. Do not expect perfection on the first try

   • Rather than aiming for a perfect score in one edit, you can improve accuracy by repeating the process and saying, "Please make this part a little more 〇〇."

3. Perform proofreading and fact-checking yourself

   • While it is strong at catching typos and inconsistent notation, you should verify the accuracy of facts and highly specialized content yourself.

[Summary: Editing is a form of "communication"]

Asking ChatGPT to edit your writing is not just about using AI; it is also about communicating your intentions.

Just like with a person, if you clearly explain what you want, ChatGPT will provide more accurate support.

Start by using the templates and request methods introduced in this article to try out text editing with ease.

As a first step toward polishing your writing skills, why not make ChatGPT your 'language partner'?