Skip to main content

Anatomy of a Great Prompt

The Standard Structure​

A well-crafted prompt follows a clear structure that provides the AI with all the information it needs to deliver exactly what you want. The standard framework consists of five key components:

[ROLE] + [TASK] + [CONTEXT] + [FORMAT] + [CONSTRAINTS]

The Five Components Explained​

1. ROLE​

Define who the AI should act as. This sets the expertise level and perspective.

Examples:

  • "You are a Swiss financial analyst"
  • "You are an expert business consultant specializing in retail"
  • "You are a senior Python developer"

2. TASK​

Clearly state what you want the AI to do. Be specific and action-oriented.

Examples:

  • "Analyze this quarterly report"
  • "Create a project proposal"
  • "Review this code for security vulnerabilities"

3. CONTEXT​

Provide relevant background information, audience details, or situational factors.

Examples:

  • "For a conservative institutional investor"
  • "This is for a Swiss SME with a small team and limited budget"
  • "The client is in a regulated industry"

4. FORMAT​

Specify how you want the output structured and delivered.

Examples:

  • "3-paragraph summary + 5 bullet points"
  • "Executive summary followed by detailed recommendations"
  • "Markdown format with code blocks and comments"

5. CONSTRAINTS​

Define what to include, avoid, or prioritize to narrow the scope.

Examples:

  • "Focus on ESG and regulatory aspects; ignore trading strategies"
  • "Avoid technical jargon; use plain language"
  • "Maximum 500 words"

Complete Example​

Here's how all five components come together:

[ROLE] You are a Swiss financial analyst.

[TASK] Analyze this quarterly report for a conservative institutional investor.

[CONTEXT] The investor is particularly concerned about regulatory compliance and sustainable investing practices in the Swiss market.

[FORMAT] Provide:
- 3-paragraph executive summary
- 5 bullet points on key risks
- 3 actionable recommendations

[CONSTRAINTS] Focus on ESG and regulatory aspects; ignore trading strategies. Keep language professional but accessible.

Why This Structure Works​

Clarity​

Each component serves a distinct purpose, eliminating ambiguity about what you need.

Completeness​

The five-part structure ensures you don't forget critical information that could improve the response.

Consistency​

Using this framework for similar tasks creates repeatable, predictable results.

Flexibility​

You can adjust the emphasis on each component based on your specific needs. Some prompts may require more context, others more constraints.

Practical Tips​

  • Start with the role to set the right expertise level
  • Be specific in your task - vague tasks get vague responses
  • Include relevant context - but don't overwhelm with unnecessary details
  • Clearly define the format if structure matters to you
  • Use constraints to filter out unwanted content or approaches

Remember: Not every prompt needs all five components in equal measure, but considering each one will improve your results.