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What you’ll learn

A prompt is the instruction you give to Gemini. 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 extensions, files, and voice to your prompts

Automate tasks

Set up Gems and saved preferences

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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 prompting frameworks

These three frameworks cover most workplace prompting scenarios. Pick the one that matches your task type.
Use CLEAR when you need Gemini 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 Gemini 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 Gemini 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 Gemini 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. Gemini can work with your Google apps, images, voice, and files to give you faster, more accurate results.

Extensions with @mentions

Gemini ExtensionsUse the @ symbol to connect Gemini to your Google apps. Type @Gmail, @Drive, @Docs, @YouTube, @Maps, @Flights, or @Hotels to pull information directly into your conversation.This means Gemini can search your emails, summarise documents, or find travel options without you needing to copy and paste anything.Try this:Type “@Gmail summarise my unread emails from this week” or “@Drive find the latest project proposal”.

Visual and voice input

Gemini visual inputUpload screenshots, charts, photos, or whiteboards directly into your conversation. Gemini can read and interpret visual information, saving you from manually describing content.You can also speak to Gemini using voice input for hands-free interaction during brainstorming or when you’re on the go.Try this:Upload a photo of a whiteboard from your last meeting and ask Gemini to turn it into action items.
Extensions work best when you are specific. Instead of “@Gmail find emails about the project”, try “@Gmail find emails from Sarah about the budget review from last month”.

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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 Gemini 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

Gemini can save your preferences and create custom AI experts for specific tasks. These features save time on repetitive work.

Gems

Create custom AI experts with specific instructions, tone, and knowledge. Gems remember how you want Gemini to respond for particular tasks.
    Create a Gem that acts 
    as a [role] who always 
    responds in [tone/style] 
    and focuses on [specific area].
Access your Gems:Click “Explore Gems” in the left sidebar, then select “New Gem” to create your own or use a premade option like Brainstormer or Career Guide.

Response modification

Use the quick editing buttons to adjust any response without rewriting your prompt. Select text to make it shorter, longer, more casual, or more professional.
    After receiving a response, 
    highlight any section and 
    choose: Shorter, Longer, 
    More casual, or 
    More professional.
Use Canvas for deeper edits:Click the Canvas button to open a collaborative editing space where you can refine content section by section.
Useful Gem ideas:A writing coach that matches your company’s tone, a meeting summariser that uses your preferred format, a brainstorming partner for your specific industry, or a code reviewer that knows your tech stack.

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Quick checkpoint

Good prompting is like briefing a capable colleague. The clearer you are about what you need, the better Gemini 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 extensions or visual input

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