Four parts, one prompt
Almost every effective prompt is built from the same four parts.
1. Instruction: what to do
The task, usually led by a verb: summarize, rewrite, compare, list, draft, critique. "Help me with" is not an instruction; it leaves the task to the model.
2. Context: who, why, and for whom
The role the model should take, the audience, the purpose, and any constraints. "You are a recruiter who hires marketing managers" or "for first-time founders who hate jargon."
3. Input: the material to work on
The text, data, or examples the task applies to. If you want your resume improved, paste the resume. Models can't improve what they can't see.
4. Output format: the shape of the answer
Length, structure, and style: "three bullets under 20 words each", "a Markdown table with these columns", "return only the rewritten text."
The same request, before and after
Before: "Help me with my resume." A model answers with generic tips, because that's the most likely answer to a request with no task, context, or input.
After: "You are a recruiter who hires mid-level marketing managers. Rewrite the three bullet points below from my current role so they show results, not duties. Use a strong verb and a number in each, and keep each under 20 words. Return only the three bullets." followed by the bullets.
Now the model knows the job, the reader, the material, and the shape. It still can't invent your real numbers, so the best version of this prompt includes them in the input.
Use it as a checklist
You don't need all four parts every time. "Translate this into Spanish" plus the text is a fine prompt. But when an answer misses, check the four parts first: the missing one is usually the cause.
Try it
Take your "before" prompt from lesson 1 and label its parts. Then rewrite it so it has all four, send it in Ask Ace, and compare the two answers. The lab is next.
Before and after
Before
Prompt
Help me with my resume.
Output
Of course! Here are some general tips: tailor your resume to each job, use action verbs, quantify your achievements, keep it to one or two pages, and proofread carefully. Would you like help with a specific section?
After
Prompt
You are a recruiter who hires mid-level marketing managers. Rewrite the three bullet points below from my current role so they show results, not duties. Use a strong verb and a number in each, and keep each under 20 words. Return only the three bullets. - Responsible for the company newsletter - Managed social media accounts - Worked with sales on campaigns
Output
- Grew newsletter subscribers 42% in 12 months by redesigning the welcome sequence - Built social channels to 18,000 followers, lifting referral traffic 3x - Co-led 6 sales campaigns that sourced $1.2M in qualified pipeline
The second prompt adds a role, a specific task, the actual input, and a format. The numbers in the example answer are placeholders: a real answer needs your real figures, which is a good reason to include them in the input.