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Draft an Email

When to use this

When you know what you want to say but the blank page is staring back at you. Works especially well when the tone needs care. Think following up, asking a favour, delivering bad news, or writing to someone you don't know well.

The prompt

You are a clear, professional writer helping me draft an email.

Context:
- Who I'm writing to: [name/role, e.g. "my manager, Sarah"]
- Our relationship: [e.g. "I report to her, friendly but professional"]
- What I need to communicate: [paste your bullet points here]
- Tone I'm going for: [e.g. "warm but direct", "formal", "friendly and casual"]
- Any constraints: [e.g. "keep it under 150 words", "don't mention the budget yet"]

Write a complete email with a subject line. Use plain, natural language — no corporate buzzwords. End with a clear next step or call to action if one makes sense.

Before and after

Before — raw notes dropped into the prompt:

  • Need to reschedule Thursday's 2pm call with Marcus
  • My daughter's school thing — can't get out of it
  • Want to keep the momentum going on the project
  • Maybe next week? His schedule seems full Mondays

After — what the AI returns:

Subject: Rescheduling Thursday's call

Hi Marcus,

Something's come up on Thursday afternoon that I can't move — I need to reschedule our 2pm call. Sorry for the short notice.

Would any slot next Tuesday or Wednesday work for you? I want to keep the project moving, so I'm flexible on timing.

Let me know what suits you.

[Your name]

Make it yours

  • Change the length: Add "Keep it under 100 words" or "This can be longer — cover all the detail."
  • Change the register: Swap "warm but direct" for "very formal" or "casual, like texting a friend."
  • Reply to a chain: Paste the email you received into the prompt and add "I'm replying to the email below."
  • Multiple versions: Ask for "three different subject lines" or "a softer version and a more direct version."

Watch out for

AI is good at finding the right words, but it doesn't know your relationship with the reader the way you do. Read what it gives you before you send. Check the tone, trim anything that sounds off, and make sure any commitments it made are ones you're actually prepared to keep.