When interacting with AI systems, the way you structure your prompts can greatly impact the quality and usefulness of the responses you receive. This article introduces 12 powerful prompt frameworks that can help you craft clear, specific, and effective prompts to get the most out of your AI interactions.
1. A.P.E (Action, Purpose, Expectation)
The A.P.E framework helps you construct prompts that are actionable, purposeful, and clear in their expected outcomes:
- Action: Clearly specify the task or activity you want the AI to perform.
- Purpose: Explain the intention or goal behind the requested action.
- Expectation: Describe the desired result or effect you hope to achieve.
By including these three key components, your prompts will be more focused, and the AI can better understand and fulfill your requirements.
2. B.R.O.K.E (Background, Role, Objectives, Key Results, Evolve)
The B.R.O.K.E framework is particularly useful for more complex or ongoing AI interactions:
- Background: Provide sufficient context and background information to help the AI understand the task or conversation.
- Role: Clearly define the role you want the AI to play in the interaction, such as an assistant, advisor, or collaborator.
- Objectives: Specify the concrete goals or objectives you hope to achieve through the interaction.
- Key Results: Define the criteria for success or the key results you expect to see.
- Evolve: Be open to making adjustments based on the AI’s feedback to optimize the interaction or task execution.
This framework allows for a more structured and iterative approach to AI prompts, which can be helpful for tasks that require multiple rounds of interaction or refinement.
3. C.O.A.S.T (Context, Task, Action, Scenario)
The C.O.A.S.T framework is a straightforward way to provide the AI with the essential information it needs to understand and complete a task:
- Context: Set the stage by describing the environment or background in which the task or conversation is taking place.
- Task: Clearly define the specific task you need the AI to complete or assist with.
- Action: Specify the actions or steps the AI should take to accomplish the task.
- Scenario: Describe the particular situation or scenario in which the task is occurring to give the AI additional context.
By covering these key aspects, you can help the AI better understand your needs and provide more relevant and useful responses.
4. T.A.G (Task, Action, Goal)
The T.A.G framework is a simple but effective way to structure prompts that are clear, actionable, and goal-oriented:
- Task: Plainly state the main task or objective of the interaction or activity.
- Action: Explain the specific actions or steps the AI needs to take to complete the task.
- Goal: Articulate the ultimate result, outcome, or goal you are aiming to achieve.
This concise framework can help keep your prompts focused and ensure the AI understands exactly what you need it to do and why.
5. R.I.S.E (Role, Input, Steps, Expectation)
The R.I.S.E framework is useful for prompts that require the AI to take on a specific role and follow a clear process:
- Role: Specify the role you want the AI to play in the interaction, such as a writer, analyst, or problem-solver.
- Input: Provide the necessary information, data, or resources the AI will need to complete the task.
- Steps: Outline the specific steps or process you want the AI to follow to achieve the desired outcome.
- Expectation: Clearly describe the expected results, deliverables, or effects you hope to see from the AI’s work.
By setting clear expectations and providing a structured workflow, this framework can help you get more consistent and high-quality outputs from your AI interactions.
6. T.R.A.C.E (Task, Request, Action, Context, Example)
The T.R.A.C.E framework covers all the key bases for an effective AI prompt:
- Task: Define the primary task or objective you want the AI to focus on.
- Request: Specify your concrete ask or requirements for the AI in relation to the task.
- Action: Describe the actions or operations you need the AI to perform.
- Context: Provide relevant background information or context to help the AI better understand the task and your needs.
- Example: If possible, include an example of what you’re looking for to further clarify your expectations.
By hitting these core elements, you can create prompts that are comprehensive, clear, and easy for the AI to understand and act upon.
7. E.R.A (Expectation, Role, Action)
The E.R.A framework puts the emphasis on setting clear expectations for AI interactions:
- Expectation: Start by describing the desired outcome or results you hope to get from the interaction.
- Role: Specify the function or role you want the AI to fulfill in helping you meet those expectations.
- Action: Outline the specific actions or tasks you need the AI to perform in that role.
By frontloading your expectations, this framework helps ensure that your prompts are targeted and that the AI’s efforts are aligned with your goals from the outset.
8. C.A.R.E (Context, Action, Result, Example)
The C.A.R.E framework helps you create prompts that are well-rounded and grounded in specifics:
- Context: Provide the relevant background information or context to help frame the task or request.
- Action: Clearly state the actions or steps you want the AI to take to address the task.
- Result: Describe your expected or desired results from those actions.
- Example: Whenever possible, include a concrete example to illustrate what you’re looking for.
By combining context with specific actions and examples, this framework can help elicit more relevant and on-target responses from AI systems.
9. R.O.S.E.S (Role, Objective, Scenario, Solution, Steps)
The R.O.S.E.S framework is ideal for problem-solving or task-oriented prompts:
- Role: Define the role you want the AI to play in addressing the problem or task at hand.
- Objective: Clearly state the main goal or objective you’re trying to achieve.
- Scenario: Describe the specific scenario, situation, or context in which the problem or task is occurring.
- Solution: Ask the AI to propose a solution, approach, or strategy for addressing the problem or completing the task.
- Steps: Have the AI outline the specific steps needed to implement the proposed solution or approach.
This framework encourages a structured problem-solving approach and can help you get more actionable and strategic responses from AI systems.
10. I.C.I.O (Instruction, Context, Input, Output)
The I.C.I.O framework is straightforward and well-suited for task-oriented prompts:
- Instruction: Provide a clear and specific instruction or request for the AI system.
- Context: Include any relevant context, background information, or constraints that the AI needs to consider.
- Input: Specify the data, information, or resources the AI should use to complete the task.
- Output: Describe the desired format, structure, or other characteristics of the AI’s output or deliverable.
By explicitly covering inputs, outputs, and context, this framework leaves little room for ambiguity and helps ensure the AI delivers what you’re looking for.
11. C.R.I.S.P.E (Capacity, Role, Insight, Statement, Personality, Experiment)
The C.R.I.S.P.E framework is designed to elicit thoughtful and creative responses from AI systems:
- Capacity: Consider the AI’s capabilities and define a task or role that plays to its strengths.
- Role: Specify the perspective or function you want the AI to take on, such as an expert, devil’s advocate, or creative thinker.
- Insight: Ask the AI to share its insights, analysis, or unique take on the topic or task at hand.
- Statement: Provide a clear statement of your specific request or question for the AI.
- Personality: Encourage the AI to respond with a distinct voice, tone, or personality that fits the context.
- Experiment: Give the AI room to experiment or provide multiple ideas or approaches for you to consider.
This framework can help spur more original and thought-provoking responses, making it a good fit for brainstorming or ideation tasks.
12. R.A.C.E (Role, Action, Context, Expectation)
The R.A.C.E framework covers the essential bases of an effective prompt in a memorable acronym:
- Role: Define the AI’s role or the perspective you want it to take in the interaction.
- Action: Specify the actions, tasks, or steps you want the AI to perform.
- Context: Provide relevant context or background information to help frame the task.
- Expectation: Clearly state your expectations, desired outcomes, or success criteria for the interaction.
This concise but comprehensive framework can help ensure your prompts are clear, complete, and aligned with your goals.
Conclusion
Crafting effective prompts is key to getting the most out of your interactions with AI systems. By using frameworks like the ones outlined above, you can create prompts that are clear, specific, and well-suited to your needs.
Whether you’re looking to solve a problem, generate ideas, or get insights and analysis, these frameworks can help you structure your prompts for maximum impact. Experiment with different frameworks to find the ones that work best for your needs and communication style.
With well-crafted prompts, you can unlock the full potential of AI systems and get the insights, assistance, and creative solutions you’re looking for. So don’t be afraid to prompt smarter and get the most out of your AI interactions.