The quality of Vincent's output depends on how you frame your request. Writing clear, specific prompts with jurisdiction, matter context, and task intent helps Vincent deliver more relevant research, sharper analysis, and actionable results from your first interaction.
Understand how Vincent interprets prompts
Vincent distinguishes between two types of prompts, which determines how it processes your request and which sources it draws from.
- General conversation prompts (highlighted in blue when selected): Vincent responds using its analytical capabilities and any documents you have uploaded. These prompts are best for document analysis, summarisation, and strategy discussion.
- Research questions (highlighted in purple when selected): Vincent queries the Clio Library to return cited primary and secondary authorities. These prompts are best for jurisdiction-specific legal questions that require verifiable sources.
Tip: You do not need to select the prompt type manually. Vincent determines whether a prompt is a general conversation or a research question based on how you phrase it. If Vincent categorises your prompt differently than expected, rephrase it to include or exclude legal research intent.
Structure prompts for better results
Effective prompts share four characteristics: they identify the task, specify the jurisdiction, provide matter context, and define the expected output.
Identify the task
Lead with what you want Vincent to do. Use direct, outcome-oriented language.
- Weak: "Tell me about negligence."
- Strong: "What are the elements of a negligence claim in Georgia?"
- Strong: "Analyse this complaint and identify all affirmative defences available to the defendant."
Specify the jurisdiction
Vincent uses your default jurisdiction unless you change it. For research that spans multiple states or compares standards, state the jurisdictions explicitly in your prompt.
- Weak: "What are the filing requirements for an LLC?"
- Strong: "What are the filing requirements for forming an LLC in Delaware versus California?"
Provide matter context
When a matter is selected, Vincent can access your case documents and metadata. Reference specific facts or documents to ground the response.
- Weak: "Build an argument for my client."
- Strong: "Build an argument that the plaintiff failed to mitigate damages, based on the deposition transcript uploaded to this matter."
Define the expected output
Tell Vincent what format or depth you need. This is especially effective with Agentic Mode, where Vincent plans multi-step workflows based on the outcome you describe.
- Weak: "Research breach of contract."
- Strong: "Draft a research memo analysing the enforceability of the non-compete clause in the attached employment agreement under Texas law."
Respond to Vincent's suggestions
During a conversation, Vincent may suggest adjustments to improve your results.
- Suggested phrasing: Vincent may rephrase your prompt to improve clarity or research efficiency. Select the suggestion to submit it, or disregard it and continue with your original prompt.
- Clarification requests: Vincent may ask you to confirm a jurisdiction, select a document, or narrow the scope of your question. Providing this information before Vincent proceeds improves the accuracy of the response.
- Follow-up prompts: Vincent may suggest additional research questions or analysis tasks based on its initial response. Select the checkboxes next to suggested prompts to add them to your conversation.
Note: When Vincent suggests a research question, it references the Clio Library. To interpret the reliability of cited authorities, see Verify Case Law With Citators.
Example prompts by task type
Use these examples as starting points for your own prompts. Each example demonstrates jurisdiction specificity, task clarity, and matter context.
Tip: For suggested prompts and workflows organised by your practice area, see Explore Vincent by Practice Area.
Research
- "What factors influence the calculation of child support in Florida?"
- "What are the legal standards for the insanity defence in federal court?"
- "What are the enforceability standards for arbitration clauses in employment contracts under California law?"
Document analysis
- "Analyse this contract and identify all indemnification clauses."
- "Review this deposition transcript and extract all statements related to the timeline of events."
- "Summarise the key obligations of each party in this lease agreement."
Argument building
- "Argue that the defendant's conduct constitutes a hostile work environment under Title VII, based on the facts in this matter."
- "Build a defence against a claim of piercing the corporate veil in Georgia."
Jurisdiction comparison
- "Compare the standards for granting a motion for summary judgment in New York versus Texas."
- "What are the differences in trade secret protection between Illinois and California?"
Timeline and complaint analysis
- "Create a chronological timeline from the uploaded medical records and incident reports."
- "Analyse this complaint and identify all claims, the factual basis for each, and recommended defences."
Up Next
See Search and Browse Clio Library to access primary and secondary sources directly through the Library for manual research alongside Vincent conversations.
If you want to revisit core workflows, see Get Started: Learn the Basics of Clio Work