Reading tools

Step 2 · Ask

Say what you need in plain, everyday words, and ask again whenever you like.

Write your question in plain words.

In every Ask & Answer™ guidebook

Ask again in your own words. “Please make that simpler.” “Use a real-life example.” “Give me only three steps.”

What it means

Ask means writing your question, or saying it, in your own plain words. You do not need special phrases. Tell the AI tool what you want, who it is for, and how you want the answer to look.

Ask also means asking again. “Please make that simpler.” “Use a real-life example.” “Give me only three steps.” You are always in charge of the conversation.

Why it matters

  • A clear question gets a clearer, more useful answer.
  • Asking for plain words, short lists or fewer steps makes any answer easier to read and to check.
  • Leaving private details out of your question keeps them out of the conversation.

Ask, in everyday life

Three moments that come up every week: a scam text, a health question and a photo you want to share.

A scam text

Ask for a second opinion on a message

Copy only the words of the message, or describe it. Remove your name, account numbers and any codes first. Then ask:

Ask Andee: type this, or say it out loud

“Does this message have signs of a scam? Please explain the warning signs in simple words.”

A health question

Get ready for a doctor visit

Ask for questions to bring with you, then follow up with “Add a question about side effects of a new medicine.”

Ask Andee: type this, or say it out loud

“I have a doctor visit next week about my knee pain. Please help me write 5 simple questions to ask my doctor. Use plain words.”

A photo to share

Ask about a photo

After adding a photo with the plus (+) or attach button, type what you want to know:

Ask Andee: type this, or say it out loud

“What kind of flower is this, and how often should I water it?”

Give It a Go AI SafeStep™ 2 · Ask

Try it now: Build a plain-words question

Choose what you want, fill in your topic, and pick how you would like the answer to look. The page puts your question together. Copy it, hear it read aloud, or say it to your AI tool.

  1. Pick a goal.
  2. Type your topic in your own words, with no private details.
  3. Choose a style, then copy or read your question.
1. What do you want?

For example: how a Medicare Advantage plan differs from Original Medicare.

3. How should the answer look?

Your question

“Please explain [your topic] in plain language. Use short sentences and avoid technical words.”

Quick Quiz AI SafeStep™ 2 · Ask

Check what you learned

Question 1. The answer uses words you do not understand. What is the SafeStep move?
Question 2. What should you leave out when you paste a strange message into an AI tool?

Your progress is kept only on this device.

See Ask at work in real AI tools