Chapter 2 · Lesson 2
The Anatomy of a Prompt
Use a simple structure: role, context, task, format, constraints.
You want a repeatable way to write prompts without memorising prompt hacks.
Use five parts
A strong prompt often has role, context, task, format, and constraints. You do not always need all five, but checking them keeps your request grounded.
Format matters
If you need bullets, a table, JSON, a checklist, or a short answer, say so. Format is part of the work, not decoration.
Build the mental model
A strong prompt is closer to a good work brief than a magic command. Its parts help you make the assignment explicit, but they are a checklist rather than a rigid formula.
Task and context do most of the work
The task says what must happen. Context supplies the facts that change the answer. Start there, then add role, format, or constraints only when they improve the result.
Constraints define useful boundaries
Length, deadline, tone, source material, exclusions, and approval rules tell AI what a successful answer must respect. Good constraints prevent rework; arbitrary ones only add noise.
A team lead wants to turn meeting notes into an update for senior management.
Act as a manager and summarise these notes.
You are helping a product team lead. Using only the meeting notes below, write a five-bullet update for senior management. Separate decisions, risks, and next actions. Name an owner only when one appears in the notes, and flag missing owners instead of inventing them.
The role establishes perspective, the context names the audience, the task defines the transformation, the format makes the result scannable, and the constraint limits invented details.
When you can leave parts out
You do not need to announce a role for simple transformations such as shortening text or changing a list into a table. The source material and requested output may already provide enough direction.
Use the five-part structure as a diagnostic tool. When an answer disappoints, ask which part was unclear. This is more reliable than adding dramatic language or copying an elaborate prompt template that does not fit the task.
Build a reusable brief
Take a recurring task and write one line for each part you genuinely need. Remove any part that would not change the answer.
Role: […] Context: […] Task: […] Format: […] Constraints: […]multiple choice
Which item tells AI what the answer should look like?
Choose the answer that best fits the principle from this lesson.
A prompt is a brief: context plus a clear requested output.