Winner of ILTA's Solution Provider of the Year for the Premier Learning Program

6 Tips for Copilot

Looking for a specific topic?
Who We Are
Leading through learning.
We believe that a culture of learning ensures every individual has an opportunity to grow and flourish. Join us and unlock your firm’s full potential.
Join our Community
Subscribe to receive our latest news, product updates and promotions.

1. Using Mnemonic Devices for Better Prompting

Using mnemonic devices like ICE (Intent, Context, Example), RISEN (Role, Instructions, Steps, End Goal, Narrowing), or COSTAR (Context, Objective, Structure, Tone, Audience, Result) can help you craft effective prompts. They remind you to include essential elements, making your prompts clear and comprehensive:

ICE:

  • Intent: Clearly state what you want to achieve.
  • Context: Provide background information to set the stage.
  • Example: Give an example to guide the AI.

RISEN:

  • Role: Assign a role to the AI.
  • Instructions: Be specific in your instructions.
  • Steps: Outline the steps to follow.
  • End Goal: State the desired outcome.
  • Narrowing: Provide constraints to focus the response.

COSTAR:

  • Context: Provide the background information.
  • Objective: Specify what you want to achieve.
  • Structure: Define how the information should be presented.
  • Tone: Dictate the manner the response should be delivered.
  • Audience: Specify who the response is intended for.
  • Result: State the expected result.

These frameworks help ensure your prompts are clear, comprehensive, and effective, leading to more accurate and relevant responses from #Copilot and other GenAI tools on the first try, reducing the need for multiple iterations.

2. Zero-shot vs. Prompt-stacking vs. Prompt-chaining

There are many prompting techniques you  can use to improve the responses from #Copilot and other GenAI tools—these are the three I use  daily. Knowing when to use zero-shot, prompt-stacking, or prompt-chaining will absolutely enhance  your AI interactions. 

Zero-shot involves giving the AI a task without any prior examples, ideal for straightforward queries. 

Prompt-stacking combines multiple prompts into one to refine the AI’s response, useful for  complex tasks. Prompt-chaining links several prompts in a sequence to handle complex tasks in  stages. Each prompt builds on the output of the previous one, allowing for a more detailed and  refined response. This method is particularly useful for larger tasks that require step-by-step  instructions or multi-layered analysis. For example: 

  • Step 1 Prompt: “Summarize the key facts of the case Smith v. Texas using bullet points.” 
  • Step 2 Prompt (using Step 1 output): “Identify the main legal issues presented in the case  Smith v. Texas.” 
  • Step 3 Prompt: “Provide a detailed analysis of the court’s decision in Smith v. Texas,  including the reasoning behind the ruling.” 
  • Step 4 Prompt: “Draft a conclusion summarizing the implications of the court’s decision in  Smith v. Texas for future cases.” 
The Benefits of Prompt Chaining
  • Improved Accuracy: By breaking down a complex task into smaller, manageable steps,  prompt chaining helps ensure that each part of the task is addressed accurately. This reduces  the risk of errors and enhances the overall quality of the response. 
  • Enhanced Clarity: Prompt chaining allows for a more structured approach to problem solving. Each step can be clearly defined and executed, making it easier to follow the logic  and reasoning behind the AI’s response. 
  • Flexibility: This technique provides the flexibility to adjust and refine each step based on the  output of the previous one. If a particular step needs more detail or a different approach, it  can be modified without affecting the entire process. 
  • Efficiency: By handling tasks in stages, prompt chaining can save time and effort. It allows  for a more efficient workflow, as each step can be completed and validated before moving  on to the next.
  • Scalability: Prompt chaining is scalable and can be applied to a wide range of tasks, from  simple queries to complex projects. It is particularly useful for tasks that require a high level  of detail and precision. 

Choosing the right prompt for the job is just another aspect of learning how to get the most from  #Copilot and other GenAI tools. 

3. Talk to AI Like a Human

When interacting with #Copilot and other GenAI tools, treat it like a  conversation with a human, not a Google search. Be polite and clear in your requests.  

Example:

Imagine you need to draft a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) for a new business  partnership. Instead of typing “NDA template,” you could say, “Hi, I need to draft a non-disclosure  agreement for a new business partnership. Can you help me create a template that includes clauses  for confidentiality, duration, and mutual obligations? Thank you!” 

By providing context and being polite, you make it easier for the AI to understand your specific  requirements and deliver a more tailored response. This approach not only improves the accuracy of  the output but also makes the interaction more pleasant and efficient. 

Statistics on Politeness: Research has shown that being polite to AI can lead to better responses. A  study conducted by Future Publishing revealed that more than 55% of respondents consistently use  polite language when interacting with AI, up from 49% in the previous survey[1]

Additionally, a report from TechRadar highlighted an experiment where polite interactions with  ChatGPT resulted in higher quality responses[2]. The study found that politeness encourages the AI  to provide more thoughtful and accurate answers, creating a positive feedback loop where users  continue to be polite, leading to even better responses over time. 

References 

[1] Tom’s Guide: New survey reveals how polite we are to AI assistants ahead of new …

[2] TechRadar: The Impact of Politeness on ChatGPT Responses

4. Validate Information

Always validate the information provided by #Copilot and other GenAI tools.  There have been instances where lawyers cited fake case law due to relying solely on AI-generated  content. Remember, if it’s wrong to do something without AI, it’s wrong to do it with AI. Double check facts and sources to maintain your credibility and avoid potential pitfalls.

Examples of AI-Generated Errors: 

  1. Mata v. Avianca, Inc. (2023): Lawyers cited six non-existent cases generated by ChatGPT.  The court fined them $5,000 and required them to send letters to six judges who were falsely  identified as the authors of the fake opinions[1]. 
  2. Monk v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (2024): Lawyer cited two non-existent cases and  multiple fake quotations. He was sanctioned $2,000 and required to take Continuing Legal  Education (CLE) on AI[1]. 
  3. Wadsworth v. Walmart (2025): Lawyer cited eight non-existent cases. The fine is pending,  the lawyer was replaced by his supervisor, and the firm paid opposing counsel’s fees and  expenses for the court filing[1]. 

While the monetary sanctions might not be steep, the hit to one’s reputation is. Relying solely on AI generated content without verification has consequences. Always cross-check facts and sources to  ensure accuracy and maintain credibility.

5. Use AI as a Content Accelerator

Think of #Copilot and other GenAI tools as a content accelerator,  not a finished product generator. It can help you brainstorm ideas, draft content, and refine your  writing, but always review and edit the output. This ensures the final product aligns with your voice  and meets your standards. 

Benefits of Using AI as a Content Accelerator: 

  1. Idea Generation: AI can help you come up with new ideas and perspectives that you might  not have considered.  
  2. Drafting Content: AI can assist in drafting initial versions of your content to provide a solid  foundation that you can build upon, saving you time and effort. 
  3. Refining Writing: AI can help you refine and polish your writing. You can use it to check for  grammar and spelling errors, improve sentence structure, and enhance the overall readability  of your content.  
  4. Consistency: AI can help maintain consistency in your writing style and tone (particularly  useful for large projects or collaborative efforts) to standardize the language and format for a  cohesive final product. 
  5. Efficiency: Using AI as a content accelerator can significantly increase your productivity so  you can focus on higher-level tasks. 

By using #Copilot and other GenAI tools as a content accelerator, you can streamline the content  creation process, enhance the quality of your output, and ultimately deliver more value to your  clients and your organization.

6. Avoid the "AI Accent"

The “AI Accent” refers to the telltale signs of AI-generated content, such as  overly formal language, repetitive phrases, or unnatural sentence structures. To avoid this,  personalize and humanize the output by adding your unique touch. This makes the content more  engaging and relatable to your audience. 

Tips to Avoid the “AI Accent”: 

  1. Review and Edit: Always review and edit AI-generated content to ensure the content flows  naturally and sounds human. 
  2. Add Personal Touch: Incorporate your unique voice and style into the content. Add  anecdotes, examples, or personal insights to make it more engaging and relatable. 3. Use Natural Language: Write like you talk. Use contractions, casual language, and  conversational phrases for authenticity. 
  3. Vary Sentence Length: Mix short and long sentences to create a natural rhythm, keep the  reader engaged, and make the content feel more dynamic. 
  4. Read Aloud: Read the content aloud to check for awkward phrasing or unnatural sentence  structures to ensure the content sounds natural. 

We hope these tips help you connect better with your audience while accelerating your work.