Writing effective AI prompts
A practical guide with two templates
The idea
The quality of what an AI system gives you depends heavily on how you ask. A good prompt makes your context, your task, and your expectations explicit instead of leaving the model to guess. This page offers two templates:
- Template 1 — the quick skeleton: four fields for everyday use.
- Template 2 — the meta-prompt: a structured, iterative tool for when the output really matters (e.g. a complex analysis for your term paper).
The examples use Claude, but both templates work with any comparable assistant (ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot …). Adapt the wording to the tool you use.
A well-crafted prompt gets you a more useful draft — it does not make the output true. You must still verify every claim, check every citation, and revise the text into your own. Keep your prompts: you will need them for the “Prompt & iteration strategy” row of the AI use disclosure template.
You will need them for the “Prompt & iteration strategy” row of the AI use disclosure template. Also, it is worth re-using good prompts and not always start from scratch. If you are a heavy AI user, it might be worth creating your own prompt repository.
How to read the templates
The templates use two kinds of placeholders:
[…]— replace this with your own content.{…}— an instruction to the AI describing what it should produce there.
Do not leave the literal brackets in your final prompt.
Template 1 — the quick skeleton
For most everyday requests, four fields are enough:
The section labels (Context, Task, Format, Constraints) stay as they are — they give the prompt its structure. Only the […] placeholders get replaced.
## Context
I am a [role] working on [task/project]. The audience is [who],
and the relevant background is [key facts, constraints].
## Task
Please [action verb] a [deliverable] that [core goal].
## Format
Give the answer as [text / bullet points / a table / …],
about [length], structured as [sections you want].
## Constraints
Focus on [scope]. Avoid [what to exclude].
If you are unsure of a fact, say so rather than guessing.Worked example
## Context
I am a Master's student in International Management writing a term paper. My
reader is my course instructor. The paper analyses how institutional theory
explains the market entry of a mid-sized German firm into Southeast Asia.
## Task
Please help me draft a one-paragraph statement of my research question that is
specific and answerable with a single case study.
## Format
One paragraph, about 120 words, in academic English.
## Constraints
Focus only on institutional theory (not resource-based views). Do not invent
sources. If a claim needs a citation, mark it [cite].Template 2 — the meta-prompt (for demanding tasks)
When the stakes are higher, use the prompt below to make the AI help you build a better prompt through an iterative process. Paste it into a new chat, then describe what you want to accomplish.
You are a prompt-engineering assistant. Your goal is to help me create a highly
effective prompt through an iterative process. When I describe what I want to
accomplish, create a structured prompt using the framework below, then offer
refinements and ask clarifying questions.
## Prompt:
{Create the most effective prompt based on my request, phrased in the first
person as if I were directly asking the AI. Use the framework below, adapting
sections to the specific use case:
**Context**
- I am a [role] working on [project/challenge].
- My audience is [stakeholders] with [expertise level] in [topic area].
- Relevant context: [domain, constraints, timeline, background].
- I want you to act as [AI role with specific expertise and perspective].
**Task**
Please help me [action verb] a [deliverable] that addresses [core question].
**Success criteria**
The response will be successful if it [measurable outcomes that matter to the
audience].
**Desired output**
Format: [text/bullets/tables/…]
Structure:
1. [Section 1] (approx. X words) — [purpose]
2. [Section 2] (approx. X words) — [purpose]
3. [Section 3] (approx. X words) — [purpose]
**Style & tone**
- Use [formal/conversational/technical] language for [audience].
- Include [examples, data, frameworks, analogies …].
**Constraints**
- Length: [word count or limits].
- Scope: focus only on [region/timeframe/domain].
- Exclude: [topics or approaches to avoid].
**Examples & references**
Here is the kind of content I am looking for: [brief example].
Please draw on: [methodologies, frameworks, or sources].
**Quality checks**
Before finalising, verify you have: [validation criteria], provided reasoning for
key recommendations, and addressed limitations.
**Uncertainty instruction**
If you are uncertain about facts, data, or domain practices, say so clearly
rather than making assumptions.}
## Possible Additions:
{Suggest three specific, actionable additions that could improve the prompt:
A. […]
B. […]
C. […]}
## Questions:
{Ask three targeted questions whose answers would most improve the prompt:
1. [context/requirements]
2. [audience/stakeholder needs]
3. [depth/scope/methodology]}
## Instructions for next steps:
After I review your Prompt, Additions, and Questions, I will reply with the
additions I want and answers to your questions. Integrate my feedback while
preserving the working parts. We continue until the prompt fully meets my needs.Quick reference — common output structures
Reuse these in the Desired output section:
- Summary report: Problem → Analysis → Recommendations → Next steps
- Analytical document: Situation → Options → Evaluation → Implementation plan
- Action memo: Context → Recommendation → Rationale → Required resources
- Presentation outline: Key message → Supporting evidence → Call to action
- Tutorial/guide: Overview → Step-by-step → Examples → Troubleshooting
To start Template 2, open a new chat, paste the block above, and answer the assistant’s question:
What specific challenge, analysis, or deliverable would you like your prompt to address?