A strong prompt is built from four parts — instruction, context, input data, and an output indicator. Build one up piece by piece and watch the answer sharpen at every step.
Why: the instruction is the one part every prompt must have — it is the verb, the thing you want done. When: start every prompt by writing the instruction first, then add the other parts around it. Run this and notice how generic the answer is.
Write a product description.Why: context tells the model the situation and constraints, so it stops guessing. When: add context whenever the bare instruction could be answered a hundred different ways. Run this and compare to the bare version.
You are writing for an online store that sells eco-friendly
home goods to budget-conscious students.
Write a product description.Where: the input is the specific thing to act on — the product, the text, the numbers. Why: separating it from the instruction (with a label and a blank line) stops the model confusing your data with your command.
You are writing for an online store that sells eco-friendly
home goods to budget-conscious students.
Write a product description.
Product:
- Name: Bamboo Desk Organizer
- Price: $14
- Features: 5 compartments, made from fast-growing bambooWhy: the output indicator pins down length, format, and tone — without it the model picks for you and you re-roll. When: add it last, once you know what shape of answer you actually need downstream.
You are writing for an online store that sells eco-friendly
home goods to budget-conscious students.
Write a product description.
Product:
- Name: Bamboo Desk Organizer
- Price: $14
- Features: 5 compartments, made from fast-growing bamboo
Output: exactly 2 sentences, friendly tone, no exclamation marks.Why: as prompts grow, unlabeled walls of text confuse the model about what is an instruction versus data. Where: use clear headers or delimiters so each part is unmistakable. This single habit fixes most "the model ignored my instructions" complaints.
# Role
You are a senior copywriter.
# Task
Write a product description.
# Product
Bamboo Desk Organizer — $14 — 5 compartments, bamboo.
# Format
2 sentences. Friendly. No exclamation marks.