AskDocs Guide: How to Ask the Right Questions to Generate Perfect Answer

Welcome to the ultimate guide on mastering chatting with AskDocs! 

Whether you’re a teacher, a business professional, or just someone looking to get answers extracted from your documents, this post will show you how to ask the right questions in AskDocs. 

Many people find themselves getting vague or unrelated responses from their AI tools - and that's often because they're not asking the right questions. 

Let's fix that! 

Why Asking the Right Questions in AskDocs Matters

Think of AskDocs as having a conversation with a document assistant. It needs a little help to understand exactly what information you're looking for. Asking the right questions is key to getting the best possible answers. 

How to Ask the Right Questions in AskDocs

Below are some examples of bad and good questions to help you:

#1: Ask Specific Questions to Get Relevant Answers

Bad Question: “Tell me about this document.”

Good Question: “What are the key points discussed in Chapter 3 of this document?”

💡Tip: Avoid vague terms. Instead of saying "this document," name the exact section, paragraph, page, or topic you want more information on.

#2: Add Context and Keywords for Clarity

Bad Question: “What does it/this mean?”

Good Question: “What does the term 'balance sheet' mean in the context of this financial report?”

💡Tip: Give AskDocs AI a little background info and keywords - the more clear the context, the more precise the answer.

#3: Ask Follow-Up Questions 

If your first question doesn't get you what you need, don't stop! Use follow-ups, until you find your answer. A common place to start is to ask for a summary of key points and then follow up with specific questions to extract data.

Example: Start by asking for a general summary: "What are the key points discussed in this document?", and you can follow up with, “What was the revenue on March 15th?”

💡Tip: Treat it like a conversation; keep narrowing down your questions until you find your answer. 

#4: Use Open-Ended Questions for Broader Insights

Open-ended questions will generate longer answers, providing you with more details and context. 

Example 1: “How does this document suggest improving student engagement in online classes?”

Example 2: “What are the proposed solutions for reducing costs mentioned in this report?”

💡Tip: Use "How," "Why," and "What" to uncover deeper insights.

#5: Avoid Using Overly Complex or Ambiguous Language 

To get the best answers, keep your questions simple, avoid ambiguous words, and break down complex questions into smaller parts.

Bad Question: “Can you explain all the technical details in this document?”

Good Question: “Can you summarize the sustainability practices mentioned in Section 4?”

Examples of Questions for Different Types of Users

Here are a few examples tailored to different professionals using AskDocs:

Example For Teachers and Educators:

Your goal: Extracting key ideas from a PDF on educational strategies.

Question: “What are the top 3 strategies for engaging students listed in Chapter 2?”

Result: You'll get a clear and focused answer from AskDocs highlighting actionable strategies in easy-to-read bullet points.

Example For Business Professionals (e.g., Accountants):

Your goal: Read and review a financial document.

Question: “What are the major changes shown in the balance sheet from 2023 to 2024?”

Result: A concise answer with a summary of key changes, saving you time in analysis.

For Legal Professionals:

Your goal: Review a lengthy contract or legal document.

Question: “Can you summarize the key obligations and liabilities of each party in this contract?”

Result: A summary outlining the key points, saving you time on reading and interpretation.

Final Thoughts: Make Every Question in AskDocs Count!

Remember, AskDocs is designed to help you extract information from docs quickly. By asking your questions carefully, you’ll get the best answers every time.

Got more questions? Start chatting with AskDocs today and see how easy it can be to chat with your PDFs!

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