Lesson 2 of 8 · Generative AI Foundations You Can Explain
In this lesson. Use task, audience, format, and constraints instead of a vague wish.
What you will learn
- Task, audience, format, constraints
- One example beats a long persona
- Saving a reusable starter prompt
Walkthrough
A strong prompt is a job description. You will practice a four-part pattern: the job, who it is for, the output shape, and the limits (length, tone, what to avoid). You will also see why “act as an expert” is weaker than showing one example. Save a template you can paste at the start of any session.
Work through the ideas in order. After each point, pause and connect it to a task you already do — a document, a workflow, or a feature you own. The goal of Generative AI Foundations You Can Explain is usable skill, not a pile of notes.
If something is unclear, rewrite it in your own words before you continue. Teaching the step back to yourself is the fastest way to see gaps.
Practice
Rewrite one vague prompt from your week using the four-part pattern and compare the two outputs.
Keep the first attempt small. A finished example you can reuse beats a perfect plan you never run.
Check your understanding
- Can you explain the goal of this lesson in one sentence to a teammate?
- Where would you apply “Task, audience, format, constraints” in your own work this week?
- What would you change on a second pass of the practice?
Next. Continue to the following lesson when the practice has a real artifact, even a rough one.