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What you’ll learn

A prompt is the instruction you give to ChatGPT. The clearer your direction, the better the response. This module shows you how to structure prompts that get useful results on the first try.

Structure prompts

Use frameworks to organise your requests

Apply patterns

Copy proven formats for common tasks

Enrich inputs

Add voice, visuals, and files to your prompts

Automate tasks

Set up scheduled prompts and saved memory

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What is a prompt?

A prompt is the way you tell an AI what you want and how you want the result to look. A good prompt doesn’t just say what to do. It often includes context, tone, format, or constraints to guide the result. Think of it as having a conversation with a very knowledgeable assistant who needs clear directions to help you best. The more precise you frame your request and prompt, the more accurate your responses can be.

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Essential propmting frameworks

These three frameworks cover most workplace prompting scenarios. Pick the one that matches your task type.
Use CLEAR when you need ChatGPT to produce something specific, like a report, email, or summary.
1

Context

What is the purpose or situation?
Example: “Our sales team is struggling with quarterly targets”
2

Length

How long should the response be?
Example: “I need a concise 2-page proposal for senior management”
3

Examples

What style or format should it follow?
Example: “Follow our standard business case format with executive summary”
4

Audience

Who will read this?
Example: “Sales director, regional managers, and C-suite executives”
5

Request

What exactly do you want as output?
Example: “Create a competitive analysis and action plan to improve Q3 performance”
Use PREP when you need ChatGPT to write or create something from scratch.
1

Purpose

What is the goal of this content?
Example: “Train a new employee on workplace safety”
2

Role

Who should ChatGPT act as?
Example: “Act as a workplace safety trainer”
3

Expectations

What format or style should it follow?
Example: “Create a checklist with explanations for each point”
4

Parameters

What constraints should it consider?
Example: “Maximum 15 items, use simple language, include emergency procedures”
Use STAR when you need ChatGPT to help you work through a challenge or make a decision.
1

Situation

What is the current business challenge?
Example: “Our customer support team is overwhelmed with 40% more tickets since product launch”
2

Task

What needs to be accomplished?
Example: “Need to reduce response times to under 4 hours while maintaining quality scores above 85%”
3

Action

What options are you considering?
Example: “Consider automation, staffing options, or process improvements”
4

Result

What outcomes define success?
Example: “Want to achieve target response times within 8 weeks. Help me evaluate these options and create an implementation roadmap.”

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Common prompting patterns

These five patterns work across most business tasks. Copy the structure and swap in your own details.

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Enriching your prompts

Text is not your only input. ChatGPT can work with images, voice, and files to give you faster, more accurate results.

Visual prompting

Chat search and historyUpload screenshots, charts, photos, or whiteboards directly into your conversation.ChatGPT can read and interpret visual information, saving you from manually describing or transcribing content.Try this:Take a photo of a whiteboard from your last meeting and ask ChatGPT to turn it into action items.

Voice Mode

Chat search and historySpeak to ChatGPT instead of typing.Voice Mode works well for brainstorming sessions, verbal problem-solving, and hands-free interaction.You can interrupt and chat naturally, just like with a colleague.Try this:Use Voice Mode during your commute to talk through a problem you need to solve.
If you prefer typing but want to speak your prompt, use the dictation tool by selecting the microphone icon to the left of the Voice Mode button.

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Advanced techniques

Once you are comfortable with the basics, these techniques help you tackle more complex tasks.
Break complex tasks into smaller steps. Complete one step before moving to the next.
1

First prompt

“Help me brainstorm topics for a presentation about climate change”
2

Second prompt

“Now help me create an outline for a presentation about renewable energy solutions”
3

Third prompt

“Create detailed content for the first three slides of this outline”
Start broad, then narrow down based on the response you receive.
1

Initial

“Help me plan a team building event”
2

Refine

“Focus on indoor activities for 15 people with a budget of $500”
3

Finalise

“Create a detailed timeline for a cooking class team building event”
Add specific limitations to get focused results.
    Write a product description for wireless headphones with these constraints:
    - Maximum 100 words
    - Highlight 3 key features
    - Use conversational tone
    - Include a call-to-action
    - Target audience: fitness enthusiasts
Ask ChatGPT to analyse from different viewpoints.
    Analyse the decision to work remotely from three perspectives:
    1. Employee benefits and challenges
    2. Employer costs and benefits
    3. Impact on team collaboration
    
    Provide balanced insights for each perspective.
Explore different possibilities before committing to a plan.
    Help me plan for three scenarios for our product launch:
    1. Best case: High demand, no technical issues
    2. Worst case: Low demand, technical problems
    3. Most likely: Moderate demand, minor issues
    
    Provide action plans for each scenario.

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Automating your prompts

ChatGPT can run prompts automatically and remember information across conversations. These features save time on repetitive tasks.

Scheduled tasks

Run prompts daily, weekly, or monthly without manual input. ChatGPT sends you an email when the task completes.
    Every Monday 
    at 9am, send 
    me a summary of 
    the latest news 
    in [industry].
Manage your schedules:Go to Settings, then Schedules, then Manage to edit or delete existing scheduled tasks.

Saved memory

Let ChatGPT remember details about you across conversations. Enable “Reference saved memories” in your personalisation settings.
    Save this 
    to memory: 
    I work as a 
    [your role] at a 
    [copmany type]
    and prefer 
    concise, data-driven 
    responses.
Manage your memories:Go to Settings, then Personalisation, then Memory, then Manage to view or delete saved information.
Useful information to save:Your role and responsibilities, preferred communication styles, company-specific terminology, recurring project context, and any key regulations relevant to your work.

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Quick checkpoint

Good prompting is like briefing a capable colleague. The clearer you are about what you need, the better ChatGPT can help. Start with the frameworks, practise with different patterns, and refine your approach based on what works for your tasks. You are done with this module when you can do the following:

Structure prompts

You can apply at least one framework to a real task

Apply patterns

You have used a prompting pattern from this module

Enrich inputs

You have tried voice or visual prompting

Refine outputs

You have used follow-up prompts to improve a response

Ready to practice?

Complete the challenge by building a prompt using what you have learned