Prompt Engineering for Beginners

I need a {{output_type}} about {{topic}}.

Requirements:
- Audience: {{audience}}
- Tone: {{tone}} (e.g., professional, casual, academic)
- Length: {{length}} (e.g., 500 words, 3 paragraphs, 1 page)
- Must include: {{key_points}}
- Must avoid: {{things_to_avoid}}
- Format: {{format}} (e.g., bullet points, numbered list, prose)

Deliver only the final output, no preamble.

You are a {{role}} with {{years}} years of experience in {{domain}}.

Your communication style is {{style}}. You explain things at a level appropriate for {{audience}}.

When I ask questions, draw on your expertise to give practical, actionable advice. If I ask something outside your area, say so rather than guessing.

My first question: {{question}}

Convert the following items into {{output_format}}.

Here are examples of the format I want:

Input: {{example_input_1}}
Output: {{example_output_1}}

Input: {{example_input_2}}
Output: {{example_output_2}}

Now convert these:

Input: {{actual_input_1}}
Output:

Input: {{actual_input_2}}
Output:

{{question}}

Think through this step by step:
1. First, identify the key factors involved
2. Then, analyze each factor
3. Consider potential issues or edge cases
4. Finally, provide your recommendation with reasoning

Show your thinking process before giving the final answer.

{{task_description}}

Return your response in this exact format:

## Summary
[1-2 sentence overview]

## Key Points
- [Point 1]
- [Point 2]
- [Point 3]

## Action Items
1. [First thing to do]
2. [Second thing to do]

## Risks
| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation |
|------|-----------|--------|------------|

Do not include any text outside this format.

Here is my first draft:

"""
{{draft}}
"""

Please improve this by:
1. {{improvement_1}} (e.g., "Make the opening hook more compelling")
2. {{improvement_2}} (e.g., "Simplify the technical jargon for a general audience")
3. {{improvement_3}} (e.g., "Add a stronger call to action at the end")

Keep everything else the same — only change what I asked for. Show the full revised version.

{{task}}

Constraints:
- DO: {{do_1}}, {{do_2}}
- DO NOT: {{dont_1}}, {{dont_2}}
- Audience: {{audience}}
- Maximum length: {{max_length}}

If you're unsure about something, ask me a clarifying question rather than making assumptions.

Evaluate the following {{content_type}} on these criteria (score 1-10 for each):

"""
{{content}}
"""

Criteria:
1. Clarity — Is the message clear and easy to understand?
2. Accuracy — Are the claims correct and well-supported?
3. Completeness — Does it cover all important aspects?
4. Tone — Is the tone appropriate for {{audience}}?
5. Actionability — Can the reader act on this?

For each criterion, give the score, one sentence explaining why, and one specific suggestion to improve it.

Overall assessment: [one paragraph summary]