Prompt Guide
Learn how to write clear, effective prompts with a structured framework, core principles, professional techniques, common pitfalls, and a practical checklist.
YouTube Prompt Tutorial
Section 1: What is a Prompt?
Simple definition
A prompt is the instruction you give an AI to get a desired response.
Analogies
Think of a prompt like a brief to a designer, or a recipe for a chef.
Why it matters
- Improves quality
- Saves time
- Ensures consistency
Section 2: The 3‑Act Framework
Act 1: Input
Context, role, audience, background.
Act 2: Mission
Core task and objective.
Act 3: Output
Format, style, constraints.
Complete example
You are a senior product copywriter. Audience: SaaS founders. Write a landing page hero line and subcopy for a task automation tool. Output as 2 lines, under 30 words total, friendly and confident.
Section 3: Core Principles
Specificity
Clear goals reduce ambiguity.
Context
Background and constraints guide outputs.
Structure
Define format and style.
Ineffective
Write something about AI tools.
Effective
Write a 3‑sentence overview for non‑technical marketers comparing 3 AI writing tools in a friendly tone.
Section 4: Professional Techniques
Zero‑shot
No examples; rely on clear instructions.
Few‑shot
Provide a few examples to set the pattern.
Chain‑of‑thought
Ask for step‑by‑step reasoning.
Role‑based
Assign a role to shape responses.
Prompt chaining
Break big goals into sequenced smaller prompts.
Section 5: Common Mistakes
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Vague goals | State objective, audience, constraints |
| Missing context | Provide background and examples |
| No format | Specify output structure |
| Too long | Trim and prioritize constraints |
| Inconsistent tone | Define tone and style explicitly |
| No iteration | Refine with follow‑ups and checklists |