Vague prompts get vague answers. Use this structure every time: Role → Task → Context → Format.
The framework
You are a [role].
Task: [what you want done].
Context: [key facts, constraints, audience].
Format: [bullet list / table / 200 words / code].
Example
You are a senior copywriter.
Task: write 5 subject lines for a launch email.
Context: B2B SaaS, audience is busy founders, tone confident not hypey.
Format: a numbered list, max 6 words each.
Three quick wins
- Show, don’t tell: paste one example of the output you want.
- Constrain it: word counts, “no jargon”, “only use the text I gave you”.
- Iterate: “make #3 punchier” beats rewriting the whole prompt.