The Prompt Formula — The Human Perspective

THE FORMULA · CLICK A PART TO LEARN MORE

PART 1 OF 5

Tell it who to be.

Start by giving the AI a role. It shifts the vocabulary, the level of detail, and the point of view of the answer.

Example: “You’re a friendly travel planner who knows Chicago well.”

It’s a bit like: Casting an actor. The same scene plays differently depending on who you cast.

PART 2 OF 5

Say exactly what you want done.

Use a clear action word: plan, write, explain, compare, summarize. One main job per prompt works best. You can always ask for more afterward.

Example: “Plan a 3-day weekend trip to Chicago for my parents.”

It’s a bit like: Telling a contractor which room you’re remodeling before they show up with tools.

PART 3 OF 5

Share what it needs to know.

The AI only knows what you tell it. Who it’s for, why it matters, what you have to work with, and any must-haves turn a generic answer into one that fits your life. This is usually the most important part.

Example: “It’s their 40th anniversary. They love jazz and good food, don’t like long walks, and have about $1,500 to spend.”

It’s a bit like: Briefing a helpful new coworker on their first day.

PART 4 OF 5

Describe the shape of the answer.

Ask for a list, a table, a short email, three options, or step-by-step instructions, and say how long. It saves you from digging through a wall of text.

Example: “Give me a day-by-day plan with morning, afternoon, and evening, in a short table.”

It’s a bit like: Ordering food: plated, boxed to go, or as a sampler. Same kitchen, different result.

PART 5 OF 5

Set the tone and the guardrails.

Say how it should sound (warm, plain, professional) and what to avoid or stay within, like a budget, a reading level, or things you don’t want included.

Example: “Keep it warm and simple, and skip any hotel over $200 a night.”

It’s a bit like: Bumpers on a bowling lane. You still roll the ball; they keep it out of the gutter.

THEN

Then read it, and keep the conversation going.

A great prompt gets you a strong first draft, not a final answer. Check what matters to you, then ask for changes in plain words. Each follow-up builds on everything before it.

Example: “Day 2 looks busy. Swap one activity for something relaxing indoors.”

It’s a bit like: A fitting with a tailor: try it on, then adjust what doesn’t sit right.

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER

Same question, better answer.

You’re a friendly travel planner who knows Chicago well. Plan a 3-day weekend trip to Chicago for my parents. It’s their 40th anniversary. They love jazz and good food, don’t like long walks, and have about $1,500 to spend. Give me a day-by-day plan with morning, afternoon, and evening, in a short table. Keep it warm and simple, and skip any hotel over $200 a night.

Role
Task
Context
Format
Tone & limits

Then follow up: “Day 2 looks busy. Swap one activity for something relaxing indoors.”

Ready to write your own?

Build your prompt ↓

PROMPT BUILDER

Build your own.

Fill in as many parts as you like. Your prompt builds itself as you type, color-coded by part and ready to copy into any AI app.

1 Role optional

Who should the AI be? Start with “a” or “an”.

2 Task

What do you want done? Start with an action word.

3 Context

Who it’s for, why it matters, what you have, and what’s a must.

4 Format

What should the answer look like?

5 Tone & limits

How should it sound, and what should it avoid?

Add “ask me questions first if anything’s missing”

YOUR PROMPT

Then check the answer and follow up in plain words, like “make it shorter” or “give me two more options.”