Prompt Engineering
Operational prompt design for repeatable output quality.
Build and validate reusable templates in this class.
Standalone Class Structure
Chat Guide: Alice Pine (AI co-pilot)
Objective: Build reusable prompt templates that produce consistent quality.
Inputs: One recurring task, target audience context, output format requirements.
Steps: Apply formula -> select patterns -> build template -> test -> refine.
Checkpoint: Template performs across multiple inputs without major rework.
Pass Criteria: 3 reusable templates validated with real examples.
Finished work: Prompt library with examples and revision notes.
Prompting Is Structured Briefing
Prompt quality follows briefing quality: context, task, constraints, and format.
What Good Briefing Looks Like
Be specific about what you want
Give context — who you are, what you've tried
State constraints — what to avoid, preferences
Define the format — how you want the output
Common Mistakes
Too vague: "Make this better"
No context: "Write a marketing email"
Too much at once: 500 words + 10 asks
Accepting mediocre: 70% there isn't done
The Formula
Every great prompt has these four pieces.
Sometimes explicit, sometimes implied.
The Anatomy of a Great Prompt
No context.
No constraints.
AI doesn't know your audience, your goals, or how long you have.
It's going to guess — and probably guess wrong.
The 7 Prompt Patterns
Click any pattern to see the template and examples.
These are your building blocks.
Role Assignment
Tell AI who to be.
Different roles produce different outputs.
Specific Ask
Be precise.
Vague asks get vague answers.
Example Provider
Show, don't tell.
Examples are worth 1000 words.
Step-by-Step
Break complex tasks down.
Prevents jumping to conclusions.
Constraint Box
Define the boundaries.
AI will fill any space you give it.
Output Format
Specify exactly how you want results structured.
Iteration Setup
Build in feedback loops.
Make AI ask before it acts.
Pattern Title
Examples
Build Your Templates
Select one recurring task.
Build one template that can be reused without rework.
Template Library
Store validated prompts in a searchable template library.
Why This Matters
The best prompts are the ones you don't have to write twice.
Every time something works well, save it here.
Over time, you'll build a library of proven templates that get consistent results.
A template you've validated twice is a candidate for something bigger — a Custom GPT that applies it automatically, or an automation that runs it without you pasting anything.
That's the next rung up.
Refinement Commands
Use targeted refinement commands to correct output defects.
Too Long
Cut the fluff
"Shorter. Cut by half."
"Just the key points, 3 bullets max."
Too Short
Need more detail
"Expand on [specific point]."
"Give me the full version."
Wrong Tone
Adjust the voice
"More casual, like texting a friend."
"More formal, this is for executives."
Wrong Direction
Redirect entirely
"Focus more on [X] and less on [Y]."
"Start over with this approach: [new]"
Almost There
Small fixes
"Good, but change [specific thing]."
"Keep points 1 and 3, redo point 2."
Need Options
Get alternatives
"Give me 3 different approaches."
"What would a [CFO/skeptic] say?"
Use Your Settings
Use platform settings to reduce repeated setup in new conversations.
Default Chat Limitation
Most platforms now carry some memory between chats automatically.
But ambient memory is inconsistent — it might have the right context, it might not, and you can't always tell which until the output is off.
Custom Instructions and Settings give you a baseline you set once and control directly: your role, your tone, your standing preferences.
No guessing whether the AI actually remembered.
Operator move: Use the built-in settings to give AI a baseline understanding of you.
ChatGPT: Custom Instructions
Settings → Personalization → Custom Instructions
"What would you like ChatGPT to know about you?" — Your role, industry, what you work on
"How would you like ChatGPT to respond?" — Tone, format preferences, things to avoid
Claude: Settings
Your Profile → Settings
Tell Claude about yourself, your work, and how you prefer responses.
It applies to all new conversations.
Checkpoint Gate
Complete the checklist and log finished work in the prompt library.
Pass Criteria
1) Three templates documented for recurring tasks
2) At least two test runs per template
3) Quality improves after refinement commands
4) Template library saved for reuse
Build 3 reusable templates
For tasks you do repeatedly.
Test them.
Refine until consistent.
Use at least 4 of the 7 patterns
Role, Specific Ask, Examples, Step-by-Step, Constraints, Format, Iteration.
Do 3 refinement cycles on one output
Don't accept 70%.
Push until it's exactly what you need.
Save your best prompts
Start a doc, note, or folder.
You're building a library.
Set up your Custom Instructions
ChatGPT Settings or Claude Profile.
Fill in both boxes.
Use it for a week.
The habit to build:
Your Prompting System Is Built
You now have a reusable framework for turning vague asks into repeatable prompts, examples, and revision loops.
Before you close this class, export your notes and save at least one prompt template you can use again this week.
