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Prompt Library

Why do other people get great answers to the same question while you get a pile of fluff? The difference almost always comes down to whether you said everything you needed to say.

This chapter gives you templates you can copy as-is, plus how to turn them into your own versions.

The core formula: Role × Task × Context × Format​

90% of prompt problems can be solved with these four parts:

[Role] You are a ____ with 10 years of experience.
[Task] Please help me ____.
[Context] The background is ____. The audience is ____. My goal is ____. What we already know: ____.
[Format] Please present it as ____, about ____ long, in a ____ tone.

Side-by-side example​

A weak prompt

Write me a time-off request email

A strong prompt

[Role] You are a senior office administrator who knows professional workplace email etiquette well.
[Task] Help me write a time-off request email to my direct manager.
[Context] I'm a marketing specialist requesting 3 days of paid vacation (Oct 14–16) for a trip abroad.
I've already scheduled our social media posts through the end of the month, and my coworker Lin will cover anything urgent.
I get along well with my manager, but the email still needs to be professional.
[Format] Under 150 words, formal but not stiff, with the subject line listed separately, and a short handoff note at the end.

The AI didn't get any smarter. You just gave it all the information it needed.

Five techniques to take your answers up a level​

1. Give an example (the most effective)​

Following the style and structure of the example below, please write three new ones:

[Example]
Title: Understand Your Retirement Plan in 3 Minutes
Opening: That 6% on your pay stub every month? It's not free money from the government.
Structure: Hook opening → three key points → one call to action

[My topic]
(Write your topic here)

One good example beats ten adjectives.

2. Ask it to ask you questions first​

Before you start, please ask me 3–5 questions about what you need to know.
Wait until I've answered before writing anything. Don't make assumptions.

This keeps it from making things up to fill the gaps, and it's especially useful for complex tasks.

3. Ask for steps, starting with an outline​

Please give me an outline first. Once I approve it, write the full text.

This keeps it from writing 3,000 words in one go, only for you to find out it went in the wrong direction.

4. Say what you don't want​

Please avoid: vague adjectives, openings like "In today's fast-changing world,"
lists with more than 5 points, and any data I didn't provide.

5. Have it check its own work​

When you're done, check your work against these criteria and fix anything that falls short:
1. Did you add any information I didn't provide?
2. Is it over 150 words?
3. After reading it, will my manager know what to do?

Templates for everyday situations​

Organizing meeting notes​

Below is a meeting transcript. Please organize it into:
1. [Decisions] Up to 5 points, one sentence each
2. [Action items] A table: Item | Owner | Deadline
3. [To be confirmed] Anything the meeting didn't settle that needs follow-up

Rules: Use only what's in the transcript. Don't add anything.
If the transcript doesn't mention an owner or deadline, write "Not assigned."

[Transcript]
(Paste here)

Writing a difficult email​

Help me write an email, and give me three versions in different tones (firm / neutral / gentle)
so I can pick one and have you refine it.

Situation: (Describe the background, your relationship, your goal, and your bottom line)
Recipient: (Their job title and your relationship to them)
Length: Under 150 words

Understanding a long document​

Please read the document below, then:
1. Explain what it's about in 5 sentences
2. List the 3 most important points for "(your role / your purpose)"
3. List details I might overlook but that really matter
4. List anything the document doesn't make clear that I should ask about

[Document]
(Paste here)

Brainstorming​

Please come up with 15 ideas for "(topic)":
- The first 5 should be safe and conventional
- The middle 5 should take angles others might not think of
- The last 5 should be deliberately over-the-top, ignoring whether they're practical

Describe each idea in one sentence. Don't over-explain.

Learning something new​

I want to learn about "(topic)." My current level is (describe it).
Please:
1. Explain the core concept using an everyday analogy
2. List 5 subtopics I should understand, in order
3. Give me 3 questions to test myself on the first subtopic
4. Point out the 2 most common misconceptions beginners have

Also in this chapter​

The most important habit

The moment you get a great answer, save that prompt to your notes right away. Three months from now, the template library you've built yourself will be more useful than any tutorial.