Module 1 · Choose the tool, then write the request Lesson 2 of 15
The anatomy of a prompt
A prompt that works has five parts: the role the tool should take, the task in one sentence, the context it cannot guess, the output format you want, and the constraints — length, tone, what to leave out. Most disappointing answers are missing context and format, not cleverness.
The concept
A prompt that works has five parts, and knowing them turns a lottery into a skill: the ROLE the tool should take, the TASK in one sentence, the CONTEXT it cannot guess, the OUTPUT FORMAT you want, and the CONSTRAINTS — length, tone, what to leave out. When an answer disappoints, it is almost always context or format that were missing, not cleverness.
The mistake is giving the tool nothing to work with and then judging it on the result. "Write my resume" is not a prompt; it is a wish. The tool does not know your degree, your target role, your projects or the posting — and it will not ask. Say the five things, and the first answer is usually good enough to edit.
Role: You are a campus recruiter at an IT services company.
Task: Rewrite this line as one resume bullet.
Context: Fresher, no full-time experience. Original line: "did data entry".
What actually happened: entered ~250 bills into the company system
and spotted a spreadsheet error that was double-counting rows.
Format: One line. Starts with a past-tense verb. Includes one number.
Avoid: Adjectives like hardworking, and any tool I did not mention.Worked example
Instead of "write my resume", say: You are a campus recruiter for an IT services company. Rewrite this line as one resume bullet — "did data entry" — for a fresher with no experience, in one line, starting with a past-tense verb and including a number, and no adjectives like hardworking.
Your practice task
Rewrite one request you have made before with all five parts, run both versions, and compare the two answers side by side.
Do this before moving on. Reading a solution teaches the shape of it; typing it teaches you.
Key takeaway
A prompt that works has five parts, and knowing them turns a lottery into a skill: the ROLE the tool should take, the TASK in one sentence, the CONTEXT it cannot guess, the OUTPUT FORMAT you want, and the CONSTRAINTS — length, tone, what to leave out. When an answer disappoints, it is almost always context or format that were missing, not cleverness.
Keep your place in this course
A free account saves which lessons you have finished and unlocks the certificate. The lesson itself stays free to read.
Create free account or sign inCourse complete
You finished every lesson.
Your certificate is ready, and the projects you built are the proof to attach to an application.
Almost there
15 lessons left of 15
Finish every lesson to unlock the certificate. Each one ends in a practice task — do them and the final project brief writes itself.