Draft a difficult message (say no, push back, deliver bad news)

Prompt of the DayDraft a difficult message (say no, push back, deliver bad news)

You need to send something awkward and want it firm but not damaging.

Help me write a message that is honest and firm but preserves the relationship. Context: [situation]. What I need to convey: [the hard part]. Make it respectful, take responsibility where fair, avoid over-apologizing, and end constructively. Give me a shorter version and a slightly softer version.

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Word of the DaySystem Prompt

A system prompt is a persistent instruction that sets the model's role, rules, and behavior for the whole conversation.

Every Word of the Day becomes a permanent page. Full definition →

Try ThisMake AI interview you before it answers

Before asking AI to write or plan anything, tell it: 'Ask me 5 questions that will make your answer sharper before you start.' Answer them, then let it produce the work.

1. Paste your rough goal ('write a launch email', 'plan this project').
2. Add: 'Ask me 5 clarifying questions first, then wait for my answers.'
3. Answer briefly, then say 'now produce it.'

Don't Do ThisDon't ask about a document you haven't given it

Asking "what does our returns policy say?" without pasting the policy invites the model to invent a plausible one, because answering is what it does.

Instead: Paste the source first and add: "Answer only from the text above. If the answer is not there, say 'not in the source'." You turn a guesser into a reader.