Prompt and Project-instruction library
These templates are ready to copy and adapt. Replace anything in square brackets. Each one applies techniques from Chapters 3 to 8, so studying them also reinforces exam concepts.
Everyday prompts
Email draft
Draft an email from [me, role] to [recipient, role]. Purpose: [what the email must achieve]. Background: [key facts]. The reader cares about [their priorities]. Tone: [tone]. Length: under [N] words. Include a clear subject line and one specific next step.
Meeting summary
Summarize the attached meeting transcript for [audience]. Include: decisions made; action items in a table with owner and due date; open questions; risks raised. Use only what is in the transcript. Mark anything unclear as "Unclear in transcript." Under [N] words.
Document summary for a decision-maker
Summarize the attached [document] for [role], who must decide [decision]. Give: the bottom line in one sentence; the three to five points that matter most for the decision; figures exactly as stated; risks or caveats; what the document does not cover. Quote the passage behind each key point.
Rewrite for a different audience
Rewrite the text below for [audience] who need to [action or decision]. Keep all facts and figures. Remove jargon, or explain it in brackets. Target reading level: [level]. Length: [N] words. <text>[paste]</text>
Brainstorm and narrow
Generate [N] distinct ideas for [goal], given [constraints such as budget, audience, timeline]. Cover at least [K] different approaches. Then score your top ten against [criteria] in a table and recommend three.
Analysis and research prompts
Grounded policy question
Using only the attached [policy], answer: [question]. Quote the section that supports your answer, with its number. If the policy does not address it, reply "Not covered in policy" and suggest who to ask.
Data analysis with code
Using code, analyze the attached [file]. Calculate [metrics]. Show your calculation steps. Create a [chart type] of [measure] by [dimension]. Then list three notable patterns, and note any data-quality issues such as missing values or duplicates.
Research brief (Research mode)
Research [topic] as of [date range]. Focus on [scope, such as countries, industries]. Prefer primary and official sources. For each key finding give the source link and date. Separate well-supported findings from contested or weakly supported ones. End with gaps you could not fill.
Options analysis
I need to decide [decision]. Context: [facts]. Give three distinct options. For each: how it works, cost and effort, benefits, risks, and what would have to be true for it to succeed. Recommend one, explain why, and list the assumptions your recommendation depends on.
Comparison table
Compare the attached [items] against these criteria: [list]. Return a table with one row per item and one column per criterion. Support each cell with a short quote or page reference from the source. Use "Not stated" where the source is silent. Do not pick a winner.
Quality and review prompts
Self-critique
Review the draft above as a skeptical [role]. List the ten weakest points, most serious first, including any claims that need a source, unclear passages and missing information. Then propose specific fixes.
Assumptions check
List every assumption you made in the answer above, and the specific claims most likely to be wrong or out of date. For each, say how I could verify it.
Fact-check preparation
Extract every factual claim in the text below that includes a number, date, name, quotation or citation. Put them in a table with columns: claim, type, source given (if any), how to verify. Do not judge accuracy yourself.
Bias review
Review the text below for language that makes assumptions about gender, age, ethnicity, disability, family status or other personal characteristics, or that frames groups unevenly. List each instance with a neutral alternative.
Troubleshooting prompts
Prompt debugger
Here is my prompt: [prompt]. Here is your output: [output]. I needed [goal], but the output [problem]. Explain what in my prompt likely caused this. Then rewrite the prompt to fix it, keeping what worked.
Handover summary for a fresh chat
Summarize this conversation so I can continue in a new chat. Include: the goal; final decisions; current draft or outline; open questions; constraints and preferences I have stated. Leave out discarded ideas.
Project-instruction templates
Template: client or account Project
APPENDIX C. PROMPT AND PROJECT-INSTRUCTION LIBRARY
Purpose. You support [team] working with [client] on [engagement].
Context. [Two to four sentences about the client, goals and timeline.] Audience and voice. Outputs go to [audience]. Write in a [tone] style; avoid [words or habits to avoid].
Sources. The files in this Project are the source of truth: [list the key files]. If information is not in them, say so and ask.
Format defaults. [Defaults, such as emails under 150 words, reports using the attached template.]
Boundaries. Do not [list, such as make commitments on price or dates]. Flag [topics, such as legal or contract questions] to [person].
Data rules. Never include [restricted data types]. Remind me if I paste something that looks restricted.
When unsure. List your assumptions at the end.
Template: internal knowledge assistant
Purpose. Help [team] draft answers to questions about [policies or processes]. Rules. Answer only from the attached documents. Quote the relevant section and name the document. If the documents do not cover the question, reply "Not covered; refer to [owner]."
Escalation. If a question involves an individual's personal circumstances, a complaint, legal matters or health, do not answer; reply "Refer to [role]." Format. A two- to four-sentence answer, then the quoted source.
Template: content production Project
Purpose. Create [content types] for [brand or team].
Audience. [Persona descriptions.]
Voice. [Three to five voice rules], following the examples in [file]. Banned words: [list]. Facts. Use only product facts from [file]. Include statistics only with a working source link. Never invent customer quotes.
Channel formats. Blog: [length and structure]. LinkedIn: [length]. Newsletter: [length]. Review note. End each draft with a list of claims a human should verify.
Template: recurring report Project
Purpose. Produce the [weekly or monthly] [report name] for [audience].
Inputs. Data from [connected folder or uploaded files]. Use code for all calculations. Content. Report these metrics: [list with definitions]. Flag changes over [threshold]. Do not state causes for changes; mark them "Cause: to be confirmed."
Format. Follow [template file]. Executive summary under [N] words.
Checks. End with the three figures a reviewer should reconcile against the source system. APPENDIX C. PROMPT AND PROJECT-INSTRUCTION LIBRARY