Prompting that actually works
A good prompt is the difference between a vague answer and a genuinely useful one. Prompting is a simple skill you can learn in minutes.
🎬 Watch the video lesson, then work through the full written module below.
Your goals
- Structure a prompt using role, context, task and format.
- Improve a weak answer by iterating.
- Steer AI to your style by giving it examples.
The four parts of a strong prompt
Weak prompts get weak answers. Strong prompts usually have four parts:
- Role — who AI should act as (“You are a helpful UK mortgage adviser”).
- Context — background and who it’s for (“for a first-time buyer, friendly tone”).
- Task — exactly what you want done.
- Format — length and shape (“5 bullet points”, “short email”).
Weak vs strong
Weak: “Write about mortgages.” Strong: “You’re a UK mortgage adviser. Explain ‘fixed vs variable rate’ to a nervous first-time buyer, friendly and jargon-free, in 4 short bullets.”
“Write about our product” is a weak prompt mainly because it lacks…
Iterate — don’t accept the first draft
Treat AI like a conversation, not a vending machine. The first answer is a starting point. Push it: “make it shorter”, “more formal”, “add a call to action”, “explain it for a beginner”.
Two or three quick follow-ups almost always beat one big prompt.
Show, don’t just tell
The fastest way to get your style is to give an example. Paste a past email or post you liked and say “match this tone and length”. AI copies patterns brilliantly — so give it a good pattern.
Best way to get AI to match your house style?
Add constraints to get pro results
The magic isn't longer prompts — it's constraints. Tell it the limits:
- Audience: “for a non-technical client”
- Length: “max 90 words / 5 bullets”
- Tone: “warm but professional, UK English”
- Do/Don't: “no jargon, no exclamation marks”
- Structure: “heading, 3 points, one-line CTA”
Stack two or three constraints and the output jumps from generic to usable.
Two power techniques
1. Few-shot (teach by example). Paste one or two examples of what 'good' looks like, then ask for more in the same style. AI matches patterns better than descriptions.
2. Make it interview you. End your prompt with “ask me any questions you need before you start.” It gathers the missing detail first, so the answer fits — brilliant for briefs, plans and documents.
Turn a weak prompt into a strong one
Your task (5–10 min)
Take a real task you have today.
- Write the lazy version (e.g. “write a proposal”).
- Rewrite it with role, context, task and format.
- Add two constraints (length + tone).
- Run it, then reply “make it tighter and add a call to action.”
- Save the final prompt — you'll reuse it.
Tom explains a tricky term
Tom needs to explain “loan-to-value” to a first-time buyer in an email. His first prompt was just “explain LTV” and the answer was too technical.
What should they do? Think, then reveal.
Reveal the answer
Add role, context and format.
“You’re a friendly UK mortgage adviser. Explain loan-to-value to a nervous first-time buyer in 3 short sentences, no jargon, with one simple example.” Same tool — far better answer.
Weak prompt vs strong prompt
❌ Weak prompt
“Write about mortgages.”
Typical output: a generic 400-word essay “A mortgage is a loan used to buy property…” — correct, dull, and useless for a real client.
✅ Strong prompt
“You’re a UK mortgage adviser. Explain ‘fixed vs variable rate’ to a nervous first-time buyer, friendly and jargon-free, in 4 short bullets.”
Typical output:
- Fixed: your rate stays the same for a set period — predictable payments.
- Variable: your rate can move up or down — cheaper sometimes, riskier.
- Fixed suits you if a steady monthly cost helps you sleep.
- Variable can win if rates fall — but budget for them rising.
Same tool. The only difference is role, context, task and format.
End-of-module quiz
6 questions. You need 4 to pass. Retake as often as you like.
Question 1
Which set makes a strong prompt?
Question 2
Your first answer is too long. Best next step?
Question 3
Quickest way to match your tone?
Question 4
Your answer is too formal. Best next move?
Question 5
Which prompt part sets the length and shape?
Question 6
Best way to get AI to write in your style?
Remember this
- Strong prompts have role, context, task and format.
- Iterate — a few follow-ups beat one giant prompt.
- Give examples; AI matches patterns better than adjectives.
Finish all 8 modules and pass each quiz to earn your AI Skills for Work certificate of completion — shareable on your CV and LinkedIn. CPD accreditation is being arranged.