A useful prompt makes the requested task and its boundaries clear. In the video, the presenter demonstrates a marketing brief using sections for context, role or background, key information, instructions and the expected outcome. These labels are one way to organize a request, not a required formula. OpenAI’s guidance likewise recommends being clear and specific, supplying relevant context and refining prompts when needed.
What to include in a prompt
- Task: State the action you need, such as summarizing, comparing, drafting or organizing.
- Context: Explain the situation and why the result is needed.
- Source information: Provide the documents, figures or links the answer should use, and distinguish confirmed facts from unknowns.
- Constraints: Set the audience, language, scope, length and any claims or assumptions to avoid.
- Output format: Specify whether you need a table, checklist, outline or draft, and what a useful result should contain.
- Uncertainty: Tell the model to identify missing information instead of inventing details.
A reusable prompt template
Task: [What should be produced?]
Context: [What situation and goal should be considered?]
Use these sources: [Documents, figures and links]
Constraints: [Audience, language, scope and assumptions to avoid]
Output: [Format and criteria for a useful answer]
If information is missing: List what is missing and do not make up facts.
Example: prepare a creator brief
“Draft a one-page creator brief from the campaign information below. Organize it into the campaign goal, audience, key messages, restrictions, deliverables and open questions. Do not add product features, prices or endorsements that are not in the source. Mark gaps as ‘To confirm’ and separate confirmed brand information from your suggestions.”
Review the answer before using it
- Check names, dates, numbers and claims against the supplied source.
- Mark any statement that is an inference rather than a documented fact.
- Check that the answer followed the requested audience, format and constraints.
- Add missing context or correct a specific problem, then ask for a revision.
- For financial, legal, medical or other consequential decisions, verify the answer with qualified sources or professionals.
What a well-written prompt can and cannot do
A clear prompt can make the task easier to understand and the result easier to review. It cannot guarantee factual accuracy, replace source checking or make an uncertain answer reliable. The prompt structure shown in the video is a planning aid; adapt it to the task rather than filling every section mechanically.