Common Prompt Writing Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Learn to avoid the most common pitfalls that lead to poor Sora2 results

Published on December 2024

Many beginners make mistakes when creating Sora2 prompts. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them for better results.

Mistake #1: Too Short

❌ Too Short

"a forest"

One-line prompts often produce incomplete or random images with no clear focus.

✅ Expanded

"A cinematic scene in a dense forest during sunrise, misty atmosphere, wide-angle shot, soft golden light"

Always expand your idea into multiple structured components for better results.

Mistake #2: Using Vague Adjectives

⚠️ Avoid These Words

beautifulamazingcinematicstunninggorgeous

Words like "beautiful," "amazing," or "cinematic" rarely improve results. Replace them with specific descriptors:

❌ Vague

"beautiful lighting"

✅ Specific

"soft morning sunlight"

Mistake #3: Ignoring Scene Importance

The scene sets the visual tone. Different environments create vastly different atmospheres:

Coffee Shop

Warm, cozy, intimate atmosphere with soft lighting

Real Estate Office

Professional, clean, corporate environment with bright lighting

Abandoned Warehouse

Dark, mysterious, industrial atmosphere with dramatic shadows

Solution: Highlight scene keywords clearly and choose environments that support your desired mood.

Mistake #4: Overly Long Prompts

📏 Optimal Length

30-50 words is the sweet spot for Sora2 prompts. Prompts longer than 50 words may get truncated and lose effectiveness.

❌ Too Long (75+ words)

Risk of truncation and loss of focus

✅ Optimal (30-50 words)

Balances detail and completeness perfectly

Quick Fix Checklist

✅ Before Submitting Your Prompt:

  • • Is it longer than one line?
  • • Did you remove vague adjectives?
  • • Is the scene clearly defined?
  • • Is it between 30-50 words?
  • • Does it include all 5 components (Type, Scene, Atmosphere, Camera, Lighting)?

The Result

Fixing these issues improves the quality, stability, and consistency of generated images. A structured approach ensures the model interprets your idea accurately and produces the results you're looking for.

🎯 Key Takeaway

Structure is everything. Follow the 5-component framework and avoid these common mistakes to get consistent, high-quality results from Sora2.

Practice Makes Perfect

Use our Sora2 Prompt Generator to practice avoiding these mistakes. The structured approach will guide you through creating effective prompts that produce stunning results.