Asking Effective Questions with Your AI Assistant

Asking effective questions is key to unlocking your fullest potential with Nectir AI Assistants. Being specific and clear helps the AI provide more precise, relevant answers.

How to Get Better Answers From Your AI Assistant

Be Specific and Clear

Ask focused questions instead of broad ones

Provide Context

Share relevant background information

Break Down Complexity

Split big questions into smaller parts

Ask Follow-ups

Dig deeper with additional questions

Question Strategies With Examples

Be Specific and Clear

❌ Instead Of:

“Can you help me with math?”

✅ Try:

“Can you explain how to solve quadratic equations?”

Provide Context

✅ History Example:

“I’m working on a history assignment about the American Revolution. Can you summarize the key events that led to the Boston Tea Party?”

✅ Writing Example:

“The feedback I received was: You provided concrete examples but my instructor noted I need to better explain how the evidence backs up my claim in the thesis statement. Can you review my draft and give me suggestions on how I can improve based on this feedback?”

Break Down Complex Questions

❌ Too Broad:

“Can you help me with my science project?”

Note

Too broad, will get surface-level information

✅ Better Approach:

“Can you explain how to solve quadratic equations?”

Alternative

“I need help with my science project, can you direct me on where to start?”

Use Follow-Up Questions

❌ Instead of Stopping When Confused:

“I don’t understand this material.” (Giving up without follow-up)

✅ Try Follow-up Questions:

“Can you explain that concept again using different words?” “Could you break that down into simpler steps?”

Effective Follow-up Questions

Clarification

“Can you explain that in simpler terms?”

Example

“Can you give me an example from everyday life?”

Key Points

“What are the most important takeaways for a student?”

Detail

“Can you explain specific term in more detail?”

Connection

“How does this connect to what we learned previously?”

Ask for Examples or Analogies

❌ Instead of Abstract Questions:

“Explain photosynthesis.”

Note

Too general, likely to get textbook-like responses

✅ Request Relatable Examples:

“Explain photosynthesis using an analogy of a solar-powered factory.” “Can you give a real-world example of photosynthesis that I might see in my backyard?”

Examples That Improve Understanding

Real-world Application

“Can you give me a real-life example of how these math concepts are used by professionals?”

Analogy

“Can you explain cellular respiration using an analogy to something I’m familiar with, like a car engine?”

Request Step-by-step Explanations

❌ Instead of Asking for Results:

“What’s the answer to this calculus problem?”

Note

Focuses only on the answer, not the learning process

✅ Focus on the Process:

“Could you walk me through solving this calculus problem step-by-step, explaining your thinking at each stage?” “Please show the work and explain each step.”

Effective Process-focused Questions

Scientific Method

“Can you break down the scientific method into clear steps and explain what happens at each stage?”

Poetry Analysis

“I’d like to understand how to analyze a poem. Can you explain the process step-by-step, using Robert Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’ as an example?”

Seek Clarification

❌ Instead of Remaining Confused:

“I still don’t get it.”

Note

Vague and doesn’t pinpoint the confusion

✅ Pinpoint Your Confusion:

“I understand that mitosis creates identical cells, but I’m confused about when a cell would use mitosis versus meiosis. Can you clarify the specific situations for each?”

Targeted Clarification Questions

Concept Connection

“I understand concept A, but I’m confused about how it relates to concept B. Can you explain the connection?”

Term Definition

“When you mentioned specific term, what exactly does that mean in this context?”

Concept Comparison

“I’m getting confused between similar concepts. Could you explain the key differences in a way that would help me remember?”

Ask for Summaries

❌ Instead of General Requests:

“Tell me about World War II.”

Note

Too broad, will get surface-level information

✅ Request Focused Summaries:

“Can you summarize the main causes of World War II and how they connect to its major turning points?” “What are the 3-5 key takeaways I should remember about World War II for my history exam?”

Effective Summary Requests

Chapter Summary

“Can you summarize the key points from this chapter in a way that helps me prepare for an exam?”

Key Concepts

“What are the three most important concepts I should understand about this topic?”

Quick Overview

“If you had to explain this complex topic to a beginner in 30 seconds, what would you include?”

Remember that how you phrase your questions significantly impacts the quality of responses you receive. Taking a moment to formulate clear, specific questions will save you time in the long run!

Essentials

Tutorials

Changelog

​How to Get Better Answers From Your AI Assistant

Be Specific and Clear

Provide Context

Break Down Complexity

Ask Follow-ups

​Question Strategies With Examples

Note

Alternative

Clarification

Example

Key Points

Detail

Connection

Note

Real-world Application

Analogy

Note

Scientific Method

Poetry Analysis

Note

Concept Connection

Term Definition

Concept Comparison

Note

Chapter Summary

Key Concepts

Quick Overview

How to Get Better Answers From Your AI Assistant

Question Strategies With Examples