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The 5-Part Prompt: Role, Context, Task, Format, Examples
The simple framework behind almost every great AI answer, with before-and-after examples you can copy.
12 min
Two people ask the same AI assistant for help with the same problem. One gets a bland, generic answer and decides AI is overhyped. The other gets something so useful they use it almost word for word. The difference isn't luck or a paid plan. It's the prompt.
A prompt is simply what you type to the AI. Nearly every great prompt contains some mix of five parts.
The five parts
| Part | What it tells the AI |
|---|---|
| Role | Who to act as: "a friendly personal trainer" |
| Context | Your situation: "I'm 52, haven't exercised in years, and have a bad knee" |
| Task | Exactly what you want: "Create a 4-week walking plan" |
| Format | What the answer should look like: "A simple table, one row per week" |
| Examples | What good looks like: "Here's a plan layout I liked..." |
You don't need all five every time. A quick question might only need a task. But when an answer disappoints, the fix is almost always one of these five.
1. Role
A role sets the expertise, vocabulary and point of view. "Act as an experienced kindergarten teacher" gets you different advice from "act as a pediatric sleep consultant." Both are useful, for different problems.
2. Context
This is the most important part, and the one most people skip. Remember, your assistant has never met you. Who's involved? What have you already tried? What constraints matter: budget, time, skill level, tone? Context turns a generic answer into your answer.
3. Task
Be specific about the action: write, summarize, compare, list, plan, rewrite or explain. "Help me with my resume" is vague. "Rewrite the summary section of my resume to highlight my leadership experience" is a task.
4. Format
Say what shape you want: bullet points, a table, a numbered checklist, a short email, three options, under 150 words. This one part saves more editing time than any other.
5. Examples
If you have an example of what good looks like (a past email you liked, a writing sample, a layout you prefer), include it. Examples communicate style faster than any description.
Before and after
Before:
Write a message to my neighbor about their dog barking.
After:
Act as a tactful communicator who helps neighbors stay on good terms.
Context: My next-door neighbor's dog barks most weekdays from about 8am
to noon while they're at work. I work from home, so it's hard to take
calls. We get along well and I don't want to sound like I'm complaining.
Task: Write a short, friendly text message that raises the issue and
suggests we figure out a solution together.
Format: Under 80 words. Warm and casual. No passive-aggressive phrasing.
Example of my usual tone: "Hey! Hope your weekend was good. Quick
question for you when you get a sec..."
The first prompt gets a generic, slightly stiff note. The second gets a message you could send as is, in your own voice, that protects the relationship.
Your reusable template
Copy this into your notes app. You'll use it constantly:
Act as [ROLE].
Context: [WHO YOU ARE, THE SITUATION, WHAT YOU'VE TRIED, CONSTRAINTS]
Task: [EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT IT TO DO]
Format: [LENGTH, STRUCTURE, TONE]
Here's an example of what I like: [OPTIONAL EXAMPLE]
You don't need the labels. Writing naturally works just as well, as long as the information is there. The labels simply stop you forgetting a part.
The shortcut when you're not sure what to include
When you don't know which context matters, let the AI ask:
I want help with [GOAL]. Before you answer, ask me up to five questions
that would help you give me a much better, more specific answer.
Ask them all at once.
This is one of the most useful prompts you'll ever learn. It turns the AI into an interviewer, so you end up with a great prompt without having to plan one.
Try it now
- Think of a real task you need to do this week: a message, a plan or a decision.
- Write it as a one-line prompt, send it, and save the answer.
- Rewrite it using all five parts and send it in a new chat.
- Compare the two answers side by side. Which part made the biggest difference?
Common mistakes
- Skipping context. The AI can't read your mind. Two extra sentences of background usually transform the answer.
- Asking for everything at once. "Plan my wedding" is too big. Break large jobs into steps.
- Forgetting the format. If you don't say, you get the AI's default, which is often longer than you want.
- Being polite at the expense of clear. Courtesy is fine, but clarity matters more. Say exactly what you want.
Key takeaways
- Great prompts combine Role, Context, Task, Format and Examples, whenever the result matters.
- Context is the most powerful part, and the one most often skipped.
- Specifying the format saves more editing time than anything else.
- When you're unsure what to include, ask the AI to interview you first.