Give AI a Writing Example Without Borrowing Its Content

“Write something like this” leaves a useful question unanswered: like it in what way? You might want the example’s short opening and friendly ending, while having no use for its subject, details, or distinctive phrases. Before including an example in an AI writing request, name the parts you want to carry over.

Writing-example request template

Write a [type of text] for [audience and purpose].

REFERENCE EXAMPLE
[Insert your own short example.]

WHAT TO CARRY OVER
Structure: [Name the sentence functions and their order, or write “Do not carry over the structure.”]
Tone: [Name observable features, or write “Do not carry over the tone.”]

FACTS FOR THE NEW TEXT
[List the facts the draft may use.]

CONTENT BOUNDARY
Use the reference only to demonstrate the writing choices named above. Do not borrow its factual details or distinctive phrases. A detail may appear in the new draft only if it is also supplied in the new facts.

IF THE PATTERN DOES NOT FIT
Omit any sentence function that would require missing facts. If a missing fact is essential to the purpose, ask me for it before drafting.

OUTPUT
Return one draft. Check that every factual claim comes from the new facts and that the draft follows only the reference qualities I selected.

What exactly do you want to keep?

Use a three-part method: Name, Map, Replace. Name the qualities you like, map them to clear directions, and replace all example-specific content with facts for the new piece.

First decide whether you need structure, tone, or both. Structure means the order and function of the sentences: announce a change, explain its effect, give a next step. Tone means how those sentences address the reader: direct, relaxed, formal, encouraging.

If you only like the length, specify a length. If you only like the tone, describe the tone. Include the example when it helps demonstrate a choice that would otherwise be hard to explain.

Can you describe the pattern without its subject?

Original example A: “The sketching session will meet in the courtyard this week. We’ll have more room to spread out our paper. Bring the drawing you’d like to work on.”

Its structure is three moves: a change, a reason, and a request. Its tone is conversational and direct, using a contraction and ordinary words. Those are transferable choices. The courtyard, paper, and drawing belong only to this example.

Try describing the pattern without using any subject-specific nouns. “Change, reason, request” passes that test. “Tell people where to bring their drawings” does not: it still carries the example’s content.

Do your new facts fit every part?

A structure is useful only when you have facts to fill it. If the new facts contain a change and a next step but no reason, choose a two-part structure. Do not ask the draft to complete a three-part pattern by supplying an explanation you never provided.

Tone needs a similar decision. “Friendly” could mean a greeting, enthusiastic punctuation, or reassuring language. Choose observable features instead: everyday vocabulary, contractions where natural, and a direct request. Keep those features only if they suit the new message.

You can therefore keep structure alone, tone alone, or both. You can also keep part of a structure. The example is a reference for selected choices, not a requirement to preserve every sentence function.

Hypothetical worked example: keep the shape, change the subject

Suppose you are writing a neighborhood book-group notice. Your confirmed facts are that the next discussion moves from Tuesday to Thursday, several members have a Tuesday conflict, and attendees should bring one question about the ending.

Your directions would say: use example A’s three moves—change, reason, request—and its conversational, direct tone. Use only the book-group facts for content. Do not reuse the example’s setting, objects, activity, or distinctive phrasing.

Original example B, a hypothetical draft: “Our next book discussion is moving from Tuesday to Thursday. Several members can’t make Tuesday. Please bring one question about the ending.” The sentences do the same jobs as example A, but every factual detail comes from the new brief.

Does each sentence have two clear sources?

Review the result by asking two questions about each sentence: where did its writing choice come from, and where did its factual claim come from? In example B, the opening position comes from the structure map; the Tuesday-to-Thursday change comes from the supplied facts.

Revise anything that cannot pass that check. An added mention of outdoor seating would import example content. An invented explanation would exceed the new facts. A repeated memorable phrase would borrow wording when you asked only for a pattern.

Use the template below to make those boundaries explicit before drafting.

A useful example answers “How should this read?” Your new facts answer “What should this say?” Give each one that specific job.