How to structure an AI prompt: the six parts
A prompt that gets a good answer usually answers six questions before the AI starts: who it is, what it needs to know, what you want, how to do it, how to present it and what to avoid. Here is each part, with one running example.
1. Role
Who the AI should act as. A role sets vocabulary, tone and the level of detail.
You are a clear, friendly communications lead.
2. Context
What the AI needs to know before it starts: the situation, the audience, what already happened.
The product team has been told to expect the launch on the 5th, and it has slipped.
3. Objective
What a good result looks like. One clear goal beats a list of wishes.
Write an announcement that the launch is delayed.
4. Instructions
The steps or points it should cover, in order of importance.
Give the new date as a placeholder, the reason in one line and what happens next.
5. Format
How the answer is laid out: length, headings, bullets, a table or plain text.
Use one short paragraph and two bullet points.
6. Constraints
What to avoid or keep short: limits on length, tone, topics or claims.
Keep it calm, under 120 words, and do not apologise more than once.
All six together
Joined up, the parts read like a short brief. You do not need headings or labels; a few clear sentences in this order are enough.
You are a clear, friendly communications lead. The product team has been told to expect the launch on the 5th, and it has slipped. Write an announcement that the launch is delayed. Give the new date as a placeholder, the reason in one line and what happens next. Use one short paragraph and two bullet points. Keep it calm, under 120 words, and do not apologise more than once.
Illustrative example; your results will vary.
Which parts can you skip?
For a simple question, the objective and one constraint are often enough. Add parts when the first answer misses the mark: a missing role gives the wrong tone, missing context gives generic content, missing format gives a wall of text, and missing constraints give an answer that is too long.
Skip the writing
VegaPrompts builds this structure from a rough idea. Three prompts free, no account.
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