Module 2: Building Your Prompt Structure
Building Complexity: The Two Essential Components
Every effective prompt needs two core elements:
1. Role - This is where you describe the role you want the AI to play. The more specific, the better.
Example: "You are an experienced financial aid counselor at a public university."
2. Task - Use action verbs to tell the AI what you want it to do, create, or accomplish.
Example: "Create a clear, one-page handout explaining work-study eligibility requirements for first-generation college students."
Practice Exercise 1: Role + Task
Create a simple prompt using only Role and Task for one of these scenarios:
Test your prompt and see what you get.
Every effective prompt needs two core elements:
1. Role - This is where you describe the role you want the AI to play. The more specific, the better.
Example: "You are an experienced financial aid counselor at a public university."
2. Task - Use action verbs to tell the AI what you want it to do, create, or accomplish.
Example: "Create a clear, one-page handout explaining work-study eligibility requirements for first-generation college students."
Practice Exercise 1: Role + Task
Create a simple prompt using only Role and Task for one of these scenarios:
- Academic advisor explaining degree requirements
- Registrar communicating about course scheduling
- Student affairs professional planning an event
Test your prompt and see what you get.