Verdict: A prompt that contradicts itself ('not too long but also detailed') and tells the model nothing — no dates, no reason, no boss relationship, no tone beyond 'nice'. The model will hallucinate every meaningful detail.
see the specimen they pasted
help me write a good email to my boss about taking time off please make it nice and professional and not too long but also detailed
“help me write a good email”
'Help me write' is a vague co-pilot verb — the model doesn't know if it's drafting, editing, or outlining, and 'good' is zero-calorie instruction.
swap: 'help me write a good email' → 'draft a complete, ready-to-send email'
“not too long but also detailed”
Self-contradicting constraint with no resolution — the model will pick an arbitrary length and call it both.
swap: 'not too long but also detailed' → '150 words max, include dates and reason in two short paragraphs'
“make it nice and professional”
Tells the model how to feel about the tone instead of defining the actual register — 'nice' means nothing without knowing the boss relationship.
add: specify the relationship, e.g. 'formal tone, I report directly to this person and we rarely socialize'
“(no dates, reason, or duration mentioned anywhere)”
The model has zero facts to work with — it will invent the dates, the reason, and the ask, producing an email you can't send without rewriting every line.
add: requested dates, reason for leave (or 'personal'), and whether approval or just notice is needed
You are a professional business-writing assistant. Draft a complete, ready-to-send email requesting time off. Use the details below. DETAILS: - Employee: [Your name] - Manager name: [Boss's name] - Requested dates: [start date] to [end date] - Reason: [e.g. family vacation / personal / medical — or write 'personal reasons'] - Relationship with manager: [e.g. formal, direct report, rarely socialize] - Approval needed or just notifying: [approval / notification] - Any handover notes to mention: [yes/no — if yes, briefly what] RULES: - 150 words maximum - Two paragraphs: (1) the ask with dates and reason, (2) handover plan or availability - Formal but warm register — no filler phrases like 'I hope this email finds you well' - Subject line included - No sign-off fluff beyond 'Best regards' Output only the subject line and email body. No commentary.
https://getmeerkat.dev/roast/vtekgqap64