How can I design effective AI prompts?

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3 December 2026

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Aim

  • By the end of this guide, you will be able to create well-structured AI prompts that improve response quality, reduce ambiguity, and support your specific goals.

Every AI interaction begins with a prompt. A prompt can range from a simple question to a detailed set of instructions, and may even include new information or data that the AI needs to generate the desired output.

Whatever the complexity, it is essential to use a well-crafted, carefully designed prompt to achieve accurate and meaningful resultsโ€”especially when AI is being used in teaching activities or assessments.

Answer

How do I engineer effective AI prompts?

A clear, descriptive prompt helps AI tools provide accurate and useful responses. One widely used approach is the RTRI structure:

  1. Role
  2. Task
  3. Requirements
  4. Instructions

Use this as a guide, but feel free to adapt it to your needs.

1. Role

Tell the AI what role to assume.
Examples:

  • Act as a Project Manager
  • Act as a Designer
  • Act as a Lecturer
  • Act as a Job Interviewer

2. Task

Explain what you want the AI to do.
Examples:

  • Create a headline
  • Write a lesson plan
  • Generate interview questions
  • Produce a summary page
  • Draft a cover letter

3. Requirements

Set clear parameters for style, tone, or boundaries.
Examples:

  • Use formal tone
  • Limit to 400 words or less
  • Include approved sources
  • Use specific coding language (HTML / JSON / C#)
  • Be creative, persuasive, or scientific

4. Instructions

Specify the output format or elements.
Examples:

  • Present as a table
  • Include bullet points
  • Show code
  • Add three questions with correct answers

Quick Tips

  • Be specific and avoid vague language.
  • Provide context to guide the AI.
  • Use clear, complete sentences.

Outcome:

“Act as a project manager. Create a checklist for organising a university event. Use a professional tone, limit to 300 words, and present the output as bullet points followed by a short summary.”

The RTRI structure is a starting point. AI models work cumulatively, so you can build and refine your prompts until you achieve the desired output.

After receiving an initial response:

  • Ask follow-up questions to elaborate or focus on specific details.
  • Change the tone or style if needed.
  • Provide an example of the output format you want to guide the AI.

If others (such as students or colleagues) need to replicate your setup:

  • Save the prompts and responses you used.
  • Simplify or summarise if you used multiple prompts.

Image generation

You can generate images by providing clear, descriptive prompts. The DALLยทE 3 image generator within Bing Chat for Enterprise is highly accurate when your prompt is well-defined. Once the image meets your requirements, you can save it for future use.

Tips for Effective Image Prompts

  • Set the style
    Examples:
    • Pencil drawing
    • Digital image
    • Pixar animation style
    • Specific artist style (e.g., Van Gogh)
  • Be descriptive
    Put the most important elements at the start of your prompt.Example:

Outcome:

โ€œIn the style of Van Gogh, create a painting of a cockerpoo wearing a bowler hat and smoking a pipe.โ€

As you can see, there are no wrong ways to ask for your assistant to help formulate a document or image, but here are ways to support a more desired outcome.

The key thing to remember is that you can always just ask the assistant!

View an example prompt which asked how to create a suitable prompt

BingChat for Enterprise response to โ€œHow should I design a prompt to get the best outcome?โ€

Response:

Designing a prompt that elicits the best outcome is an art in itself. Here are some tips that can help you create a well-formed prompt:

  1. Be specific: The more specific your prompt is, the better the outcome will be. For example, instead of asking โ€œCan you draw me a picture of a dog?โ€, try asking โ€œCan you draw me a picture of a golden retriever playing fetch in the park?โ€.
  2. Provide context: Providing context can help the model understand what youโ€™re looking for. For example, if youโ€™re asking for a recipe, provide information about dietary restrictions or ingredients you have on hand.
  3. Avoid ambiguity: Avoid using ambiguous language or phrases that could be interpreted in multiple ways. For example, instead of saying โ€œCan you write me a story about a man and his dog?โ€, try saying โ€œCan you write me a story about a man who rescues a dog from the pound and they become best friends?โ€.
  4. Use complete sentences: Use complete sentences when asking for something. This helps the model understand what youโ€™re looking for and what information is important.
  5. Be polite: Being polite and using proper grammar can help the model generate more accurate responses.

I hope these tips help! Let me know if thereโ€™s anything else I can do for you.

BingChat for Enterprise (2023)ย Using AI to design effective AI prompts,ย 24 October.

View an example prompt which asks as a project manager write me a product description for a new training course

Bingchat for Enterprise response for โ€œgive me an example of a prompt when someone is acting in a specific role, for example as a project manager write me a product description for a new training courseโ€.

Response:

Sure! Hereโ€™s an example of a prompt for a project manager to write a product description for a new training course:

โ€œPlease write a product description for a new training course that will help project managers develop their skills in managing complex projects. The course should cover topics such as project planning, risk management, team leadership, and communication. The target audience is experienced project managers who are looking to take their skills to the next level.โ€

I hope this helps! Let me know if thereโ€™s anything else I can do for you.

Using that prompt:

Hereโ€™s a product description for a new training course that will help project managers develop their skills in managing complex projects:

Course Title: Advanced Project Management

Course Description:

This course is designed to help experienced project managers take their skills to the next level. The course covers a range of topics that are essential for managing complex projects, including project planning, risk management, team leadership, and communication. The course is taught by experienced project managers who have worked on a variety of complex projects.

Course Objectives:

  • Develop advanced skills in project planning and execution
  • Learn how to manage risks and uncertainties in complex projects
  • Develop effective team leadership skills
  • Learn how to communicate effectively with stakeholders
  • Understand the importance of project governance and compliance

Target Audience:

This course is designed for experienced project managers who are looking to take their skills to the next level. The course is ideal for those who have worked on complex projects in the past and are looking to develop advanced skills in project management.

Prerequisites:

To enroll in this course, you should have at least 5 years of experience in project management. You should also have experience managing complex projects and be familiar with project management methodologies.

Course Format:

The course is delivered online and consists of 10 modules. Each module includes video lectures, case studies, and interactive exercises. You will also have access to a range of resources, including reading materials and online forums.

Course Duration:

The course is designed to be completed over 10 weeks. You should expect to spend approximately 5 hours per week on coursework.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

BingChat for Enterprise (2023) Using AI to design effective AI prompts, 24 October.

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