UT Martin Center for Teaching and Learning

The Prompt Builder

Build a prompt in five parts. Watch it come together.

Pick a scenario:
1

Role

Who should the AI be, and who are you? Upload your CV or bio first.
2

Task

Exactly what do you want it to produce? Start with a verb.
3

Context

What must it know about your world, your people, and this situation?
4

Format

What should the answer look like? Length, structure, tone, reader.
5

Guardrails

What should it avoid, protect, or never do?
Your prompt so far
Prompt strengthEmpty
Pro move. Add one line to the end of any prompt: "Before you write, ask me five questions that would help you do this well." Letting the AI interview you is the highest-value trick there is.
The weak prompt
The strong prompt