You know prompting is an important skill to learn but, you're not exactly sure why some prompts generate outputs that are super generic while others give you precisely what you're looking for? It's because your prompts could be missing some core components…
The 6 Core Components for any Prompt
Modern AI prompting is about crafting structured, context-rich instructions that consistently produce high-quality outputs. Here's the 6 core components to help craft masterful prompts.
Task
Mandatory
Context
Important
Exemplars
Important
Persona
Nice to Have
Format
Nice to Have
Tone
Nice to Have
Simple Prompt Example
Core Component Order of Importance
Know that there's an order of importance to these six core prompt components.
Task
Mandatory Context Important Exemplars Important
Persona
Nice to Have Format Nice to Have Tone Nice to Have
1. Task
Start with an Action Verb
The rule of thumb is to always begin your task sentence with a clear, dynamic action verb.
Common Action Verbs
Examples include: generate, give, write, analyze
Articulate Your End Goal
Clearly communicate the specific outcome you want to achieve.
Single Task Prompt Example
Complex Three-Step Task Prompt Example
2. Context
User's Background
What's the user's background?
Success Definition
What does success look like?
Environmental Context
What environment are they in?
Prompt Example
3. Exemplars
Fancy way of saying examples. Basically all the research on large language models LLMs have shown that including examples within the prompt drastically improves the quality of the output.
Bad Output
This is a poorly written bullet point from my BNI profile:
🛑 “I help businesses grow with referrals.”
This doesn’t tell the reader how I do it or the impact it has.
Good Output
Instead, we can ask ChatGPT to rewrite it using this best practice structure:
📌 “I accomplished X by the measure Y, which resulted in Z.”
Bad Example
Here’s a more advanced example for public speaking prep in BNI. Imagine you’re preparing for your BNI 60-second pitch and want to improve your impact. Instead of just saying:
🛑 “Write me a 60-second pitch for my business.”
Good Example
You can add an example structure like this:
4. Persona
The Persona component is about telling ChatGPT who it should act as for a specific task.
Pro tip: Think of someone you wish you had instant access to.
Bad Example
If you’re a BNI business owner looking for better networking strategies, you don’t want just a generic AI response—you want insights from someone who actually knows BNI inside and out.
Good Example
Enhance the response by specifying a persona:
💡 Pro Tip: You can name real experts (if they’re well-known). For example:
✅ “Explain referral strategies as if you were Dr. Ivan Misner, founder of BNI.”
✅ “Describe effective negotiation techniques as if you were Chris Voss, former FBI hostage negotiator and author of ‘Never Split the Difference.’”
✅ “Outline content marketing strategies as if you were Ann Handley, Chief Content Officer at MarketingProfs and author of ‘Everybody Writes.’”
✅ “Discuss viral marketing tactics as if you were Jonah Berger, author of ‘Contagious: How Things Catch On.’”
✅ “Explain the principles of influence and persuasion as if you were Robert Cialdini, author of ‘Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion.’”
✅ “Provide insights on digital marketing trends as if you were Neil Patel, co-founder of Neil Patel Digital and recognized marketing expert.”
✅ “Share strategies for building a personal brand as if you were Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerMedia and social media influencer.”
✅ “Discuss customer engagement techniques as if you were Philip Kotler, author of ‘Marketing Management’ and esteemed marketing professor.”
✅ “Explain the art of storytelling in marketing as if you were Seth Godin, author of ‘All Marketers Are Liars’ and renowned marketing thought leader.”
✅ “Outline innovative advertising approaches as if you were David Ogilvy, founder of Ogilvy & Mather and known as the ‘Father of Advertising.’”
✅ “Provide strategies for social selling as if you were Jill Rowley, social selling evangelist and startup advisor.”
5. Format
The Format component is about controlling how the response is structured.
Pro tip: Visualize exactly how you want the end result to look.
Bad Example
Example: You want a follow-up email template after a BNI one-to-one meeting. Instead of just saying:
Good Example
You can control the structure by specifying a format:
6. Tone
The Tone component is about how the response should sound.
Pro tip: Think of the emotion or impression you want to convey.
Bad Example
Example: You’re writing a referral request email to your BNI chapter. Instead of just saying:
Good Example
You can refine the tone:
Putting it all together
Now, let’s combine all six components into a high-quality prompt.
Bad Example
Best Prompt Example
TL;DR
Final Takeaway
Most people only use Task + Context when writing prompts. But by adding:
🔹 Exemplars (examples/frameworks)
🔹 Persona (who AI should be)
🔹 Format (how the response should look)
🔹 Tone (the right style/emotion)
…you drastically improve ChatGPT’s output—making it more actionable, relevant, and high-quality.
Prompting for a Better Tomorrow
AI prompting is more than just a technical skill; it's a powerful tool for shaping the future. By mastering the art of effective communication with AI, we can unlock its potential for innovation, creativity, and progress in all areas of our lives.
Reserve your 1:1 Prompt Masterclass training today!
Hours
Of expert training.
Investment
Unlock your AI potential.
Ready to elevate your AI mastery? Enroll in our comprehensive AI Mega Prompt Course and unlock the power of effective communication with AI.
AI Prompting: Speak to AI like a Professional.