Anatomy of a Good Prompt

Define the Role or Persona

Start by clearly specifying who or what you want the AI to be. Giving the AI a role or persona makes the response more focused and aligned with your needs.

Example: Instruct Copilot to be a 'travel agent," "software developer," or "historian." This sets the tone for the AI's perspective and expertise.

Specify the Task or Multiple Tasks

Clearly articulate the primary task(s) you want Copilot to complete. Be as explicit as possible about what you want. This step ensures Copilot knows exactly what you're expecting, whether it's generating a story, providing a list of pros and cons, or summarizing a document.

Example: "Write a 500-word summary of this educational report."

Provide Context

Context is key to getting relevant results. Explain any background information or details that can help Copilot understand your request better. The more context provided, the better the response quality. This could include target audiences, previous information, or the purpose of the task.

Example: "This is for an audience of undergraduate students new to classic literature."

Include an Example

Providing an example of what you're looking for helps clarify the format, depth, and style you desire. It also helps avoid ambiguity, ensuring that Copilot's response closely aligns with your expectations.

Example: "For example, you could start by explaining the role of nature in romantic poetry."

Set the Tone

Clearly state the tone you'd like Copilot to use. Whether it's formal, friendly, conversational, professional, humorous, or casual, specifying the tone ensures the response matches the style you're aiming for.

Example: "Write in a lighthearted, engaging tone suitable for young readers."

Define the Format

Specify how you want the response to be structured. Should it be a bulleted list, a series of steps, a formal letter, or a dialogue? Defining the format helps you get the output in the most useful structure right away.

Example: "Provide the information as a numbered list of steps."

Re-Prompt for Refinement

Iteration is often necessary. If the response isn't exactly what you want, refine it with follow-up prompts. You can ask for more details, change the tone, add examples, or adjust the format. A well-crafted re-prompt helps narrow down the response.

Example: "Can you make this more concise?" or "Add an example to illustrate the main point."

Infographic for how to write a prompt to get better answers from Microsoft Copilot

Practical Examples

Drafting an Email

Prompt: "Draft an email to faculty members inviting them to a workshop on using Microsoft Copilot, including date, time, location, and a brief agenda."

Expected Output: A well-structured email with all the necessary details.

Try it for yourself!

Creating a Lesson Plan

Prompt: "Create a lesson plan for a 90-minute class on the basics of machine learning, including objectives, key topics, and activities."

Expected Output: A detailed lesson plan with clear objectives, topics, and activities.

Generating a Summary

Prompt: "Summarize the key points from this research article on public health interventions in 5 bullet points,"

Expected output: A concise summary highlighting the main points of the article.