How to Write Detailed FAQs using ChatGPT

I suspect one of the frustrations for most people, in terms of using AI, is trying to find suitable use cases. Indeed, one of the criticisms of AI is that it can be a ‘problem in search of a solution.’ In other words, while it has undoubted potential finding simple applications in the real world, especially for non-technical users, can be a bit frustration.

So, with that in mind, I thought I write a series of tutorials showing you how to perform simple tasks using AI. When I say AI, I mean ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Claude, and Bing. Any LLM for that matter.

Let’s start with something relatively simple and build up from there.

Today, I’ll show you how to use ChatGPT to create FAQs.

Before I start, there are no real shortcuts or hacks here. Instead, I’ll walk you through a type of workflow that you can adapt to any type of ‘information’ document, such as datasheets, product specs, or work instructions.

Getting Started

Here’s the thing to remember: don’t use AI as a search engine, probing it for answers. Instead, think of it as a friendly ‘smartest person in the room’ that’s going to help you with your project.

And the best way to do is to develop the habit of ‘creating a dialogue’ with it, instead of using it for questions and answers.

Let’s put this in practice. What I’ll do is show you how I’d create FAQs using ChatGPT.

To make it more interesting, we’ll do a simple version first, then a more advanced article.

Provide Context

ChatGPT isn’t telepathic. It has no idea what you’re thinking or want to achieve.

To address this, you need to give it some idea of why you’re doing this; what’s your expectation; what type of help you’re looking for.

If you don’t do it, it will try and fill in the gaps; this is often referred to as hallucination. Essentially, it’s trying to guess what you want.

So, the first step is to tell it its role. That is the ‘expert’ who will help you with your task. This gives ChatGPT a frame of reference. “Oh, I’ll now put on my technical writer hat and help him with the upcoming tasks.”

For instance,

As a technical writer, I want you to help me write FAQs for a mental health website. Together, we will write, edit, and review the FAQs. You will provide expert direction on all aspects of the writing. Do you need to know anything else before we start?

ChatGPT asks for clarification on the following:

To tailor the direction, it would be helpful to know:

1. Target Audience: Are we primarily writing for individuals seeking support, caregivers, healthcare professionals, or a broader audience?
2. Tone and Style: Should the FAQs maintain a neutral and informative tone, or would a more empathetic, conversational approach be appropriate?
3. Key Topics: Do you already have specific topics or questions in mind, or would you like suggestions based on common mental health inquiries?

There’s different ways to approach this. You could answer all three at the same time. However, I find you get better results if you answer each one at a time. Testing suggests this gives a richer, more focused response.

 

So, with that in mind, I’ll respond like this:

Target Audience: We primarily writing for individuals seeking advice related to ADHD. They are typically well educated, informed, and looking for detailed answers.

Next, I’ll describe the type of language to use.

Tone and Style: Strive to be friendly but concise. Don’t get too verbose. Avoid filler words and unnecessary adjectives. No profanities. Consider the writing style on the BBC website as a good reference.

It responds by saying: “Understood! We’ll keep the FAQs friendly, clear, and straight to the point, focusing on providing value without unnecessary embellishments. Let’s proceed with the first section; here’s a question to start with in the Overview category:

Q1: What is ADHD?

A: ADHD, or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects a person’s ability to focus, control impulses, and manage energy levels. Common symptoms include difficulty staying organized, impulsivity, and restlessness. ADHD often starts in childhood and can continue into adulthood. Diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms effectively.

Does this align with the tone and style you’re aiming for? If so, we can continue drafting in a similar format.

This is close to what I’m after.

Next, I’ll highlight the areas I want it to focus on. I tend to give this under 10 items.

Key Topics: Here are the specific areas I want to focus on:

• Anxiety
• Learning disabilities
• Relationship challenges
• Talking excessively
• Constantly fidgeting
• Difficulty awaiting turn
• Inattention
• Impulsivity
• Problems focusing on a task

In response, it provides a sample FAQ draft based on the areas I outlined, starting with Anxiety:

Q: Is it common for people with ADHD to experience anxiety?

A: Yes, anxiety often coexists with ADHD. Many individuals with ADHD feel anxious due to struggles with focus, organization, or managing daily tasks. This anxiety can stem from worrying about forgetting important details or feeling overwhelmed. Managing ADHD through strategies like time management, mindfulness, or professional support can help reduce anxiety.

Would you like to review this or add further details? If it looks good, we can move on to the next topic on your list.

Upload Reference Material

We’ve now identified the audience, writing style and topics.

The next step is to give it more targeting topics, so that it can tap into its vast knowledge base.

The simplest approach is to upload any PDF, MS Word or other documents.  

A word of caution: avoid uploading fragments, such as emails, as these often don’t have the context it needs. Instead, provide it with more structured information.

Prompt: Create FAQs on Adult ADHD from the attached documets

In response, ChatGPT created 10 FAQs. These are more or less what I’m looking for in terms for quality, subject matter, and format

At this point, you now have a few choices. The first is to ask it to refine the responses, for instance, by reducing the word count of each answer. Another option is to give it more reference material, then ask it to regenerate the FAQs. Finally, you can ask it to format the document so that you can use it in MS Word.

Export to MS Word

To export the response to Word, use the following command:

Export Q1-Q10 to MS Word .docx format

Wait a few moments. A message will be displayed: Analyzing…

After this a link is displayed to a Word file that you can download to your PC.

Note: in the screenshot above, the prompt says .dotx. I had some problems with this but after changing it to .docx, it worked fine. 

Next Steps

In this tutorial, we looked at how to use ChatGPT to create FAQs. We used sample PDF reference material as the source data, then exported the results to MS Word. In total, it tool about 5 minutes to create the document. The purpose of this is to give you a taster of how you can create information assets, such as work instructions, policy documents, or specifications.

In the next tutorial, we’ll go into more depth on how to setup a GPT (e.g. your own knowledge base to generate multiple documents, articles, and posts). We’ll also look at how to use ChatGPT to help you research, edit, review, and collaborate with others.

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