Embedded Files
Back to:
How AI Works
Next Topic
Ethical Use of AI
Can you make a picture of a robot reading a book in a vast library. On the wall is a poster that says The Secrets to a Great Prompt, there is a checklist next to it saying "clear" "context" "role" "format" "constraints". Please make it in the style of a fantasy painting.
The Secrets to a Great Prompt
The Secrets to a Great Prompt
(or: How to Talk So AI Actually Listens)
Imagine you’ve been asked to give instructions to a very fast, very clever, but extremely literal robot.
It won’t guess what you mean.
It won’t fill in the gaps.
It will do exactly what you ask — no more, no less.
That robot is AI.
A prompt is simply the instructions you give it. The better your instructions, the better the result. Here are the key ingredients that turn a weak prompt into a powerful one.
Task 1: Introduction to Prompt Engineering
Task 1: Introduction to Prompt Engineering
Click on the link to open Google Classroom and go to the Introduction to Prompt Engineering Worksheet
Below are five techniques to writing good prompts for an AI. For each one there is a short exercise in the worksheet. Read the section and then tackle the excersise in the worksheet.
1. Be Clear and Specific
1. Be Clear and Specific
Vague instructions = vague answers.
If your prompt is fuzzy, the AI has too many ways it could respond. Clear details narrow the possibilities and improve the output.
❌ Bad Prompt - “Write about dogs.”
Too general. What kind of dogs? What style? Who is it for?
✅ Better Prompt - “Write a short, exciting story about a brave golden retriever who saves a lost kitten during a thunderstorm. The story should be aimed at 8-year-olds.”
Now the AI knows:
the animal
the genre
the audience
the tone
👉 Rule of thumb: If a human would ask a follow-up question, the AI probably needs more detail.
2. Provide Context
2. Provide Context
Tell the AI why you’re asking.
Context helps the AI choose the right kind of answer, not just a correct one.
❌ Prompt Without Context - “What can I do in France?”
That could mean tourism, school work, history, food, or something else entirely.
✅ Prompt With Context - “I’m planning a trip to Europe for a school holiday. For my itinerary, what are three must-see places in France, and why are they popular?”
Now the AI understands:
the purpose
the situation
the type of answer you want
3. Give the AI a Role (Persona)
3. Give the AI a Role (Persona)
Tell the AI who it is pretending to be.
This helps control tone, vocabulary, and depth.
❌ Prompt Without a Role - “Explain photosynthesis.”
You might get something too technical… or too simple.
✅ Prompt With a Role - “You are a friendly science teacher explaining photosynthesis to a Year 9 class. Use simple language and one real-world example.”
Now the AI knows:
who it is
who it is talking to
how complex the explanation should be
💡 This is one of the most powerful prompt techniques.
4. Specify the Format or Output
4. Specify the Format or Output
Don’t just ask for information — ask for a shape.
AI can write in almost any format, but only if you tell it what you want.
❌ Prompt Without Format - “Tell me about the planets.”
Paragraph? Essay? Random facts?
✅ Prompt With Format - “List the planets in our solar system starting from the closest to the Sun. Present the answer as a bulleted list. Include one interesting fact for each planet.”
Now you’re guaranteed:
the order
the structure
the amount of information
5. Add Constraints (Guardrails)
5. Add Constraints (Guardrails)
Rules make answers better, not worse.
Constraints stop the AI from wandering off or giving too much information.
✅ Prompt With Constraints - “Write a short poem about friendship. It must have four lines, rhyme AABB, and not mention any specific names.”
This controls:
length
structure
content
Paradoxically, limits often make outputs more creative.
Page updated
Report abuse