If an AI tool keeps giving you generic answers, the problem is usually the prompt, not the tool. The fix is simple and works the same in ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini: give the model the information a smart new colleague would need. This tutorial teaches a five-part framework we call RCTFE, with before-and-after examples.
You will learn: the 5 parts of a strong prompt · how to fix a weak prompt in 30 seconds · 3 copy-ready templates
Time: about 10 minutes · Works with: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot and most other chat AIs
The weak prompt (and why it fails)
Write a post about AI tools.
The AI has to guess everything: which tools, for whom, how long, what tone, which platform. When it guesses, it picks the safest, most average answer. That’s why the output feels bland.
The 5 parts of a strong prompt
1. Role: who should the AI be?
A role sets the vocabulary and level of expertise. “You are a tech journalist who writes for Indian college students” gives very different output from “you are an enterprise IT consultant”.
2. Context: what’s the situation?
Give it the background it can’t know: your audience, your goal, what you’ve already tried and any limits. Context is the part people skip most, and it’s the one that changes the answer most.
3. Task: what exactly should it do?
Use one clear action verb: write, compare, summarise, rewrite, list, critique. If you have several tasks, number them.
4. Format: what should the answer look like?
Length, structure, headings, a table, bullet points, reading level, tone. “Under 150 words, 3 bullet points, no jargon” removes most of the waffle.
5. Example: show, don’t just tell
Paste one example of the style you want, such as a past post or a sentence you like. Even one example usually makes the output more consistent.
The same prompt, fixed
Role: You are a tech writer for an Indian audience of college students.
Context: They’re curious about AI but on a tight budget, and most use free plans on their phones.
Task: Write an Instagram carousel script recommending 5 free AI tools for studying.
Format: 7 slides. Slide 1 is a hook under 8 words, slides 2–6 cover one tool each (name, what it does, one study use case, under 30 words), and slide 7 is a call to follow. Friendly tone, no hype.
Example of our tone: “AI won’t do your homework. But it can make the boring parts a lot faster.”
Try both prompts in any AI tool. The second one gives you something you can post with light edits. The first gives you a generic essay.
3 power moves once you’ve got the basics
- Ask it to ask you questions. End with: “Before you answer, ask me up to 3 questions that would improve your answer.”
- Iterate, don’t restart. Say “Keep everything, but make slide 4 funnier” instead of rewriting the whole prompt.
- Ask for options. “Give me 3 different hooks in 3 different styles” beats asking for one perfect hook.
Copy-ready templates
You are a patient teacher. I am [your level, e.g. a first-year commerce student]. Explain [topic] in under 200 words, using one everyday Indian example. Then give me 3 quiz questions to check that I understood.
You are a strict editor. Here is my draft: [paste]. List the 5 biggest problems in order of importance, then rewrite only the first paragraph to show the fix. Keep my voice.
I need to choose between [A] and [B] for [goal]. My constraints: [budget, time, skills]. Compare them in a table on cost, learning curve, results and risks, then recommend one and say what would change your mind.
FAQ
Does RCTFE work in ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini?
Yes. It is plain-language structure, so it works in any chat AI.
Do I need all five parts every time?
No. For quick questions, Task and Format are often enough. Add Role, Context and Example when the answer matters.
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