TL;DR

Stop writing prompts from scratch. This guide gives you battle-tested templates for the most common AI tasks. Copy them, fill in the [brackets], and get better results in seconds.

Why it matters

Good prompts are surprisingly formulaic. The same structures work across different tasks and AI tools. Having a library of templates means you can focus on what you want to accomplish instead of how to ask.

How to use these templates

  1. Copy the template
  2. Fill in the [bracketed] sections
  3. Paste into your AI tool
  4. Adjust the output as needed

Works with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and other AI assistants.

Writing templates

Professional email

Write a professional email with these details:

- Purpose: [what you need to communicate]
- Recipient: [their role/relationship to you]
- Tone: [formal/friendly/urgent]
- Key points: [list main points]
- Desired action: [what you want them to do]
- Length: [short/medium/detailed]

Blog post outline

Create an outline for a blog post:

- Topic: [your topic]
- Target audience: [who will read this]
- Goal: [inform/persuade/entertain]
- Desired length: [word count or number of sections]
- Key points to cover: [list points]
- Tone: [professional/casual/authoritative]

Include an introduction hook, main sections with subpoints, and a conclusion with call-to-action.

Social media post

Write a [platform] post about [topic].

- Goal: [engagement/awareness/traffic]
- Audience: [who you're targeting]
- Tone: [casual/professional/playful]
- Include: [hashtags/emoji/question/CTA]
- Length: [character limit if any]

Analysis templates

Summarize a document

Summarize this [document type] in [number] bullet points.

Focus on:
- [specific aspect 1]
- [specific aspect 2]
- [specific aspect 3]

[Paste document text]

Compare options

Compare these options for me:

- Option A: [description]
- Option B: [description]
- Option C: [description if applicable]

Evaluate based on:
- [criterion 1]
- [criterion 2]
- [criterion 3]

Format: Table with pros/cons for each option, then a recommendation.

SWOT analysis

Create a SWOT analysis for [company/product/project].

Context: [relevant background]
Industry: [industry/market]
Time frame: [current/next year/etc.]

Format: Bullet points under each category (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) with explanations.

Learning templates

Explain a concept

Explain [concept] to me.

- My background: [what you already know]
- Level of detail: [high-level overview/detailed explanation]
- Use analogies: [yes/no]
- Include examples: [yes/no]
- Length: [brief/comprehensive]

Study guide

Create a study guide for [topic/subject].

- Exam type: [multiple choice/essay/practical]
- Key areas to cover: [list topics]
- Time available: [how long until exam]
- My weak areas: [what you struggle with]

Include: Key concepts, practice questions, and memory tricks.

ELI5 (Explain Like I'm 5)

Explain [complex topic] in the simplest possible terms.

- Use everyday analogies
- Avoid jargon completely
- Use examples from daily life
- Maximum 3 paragraphs

Work task templates

Meeting agenda

Create a meeting agenda:

- Meeting purpose: [what we're deciding/discussing]
- Duration: [length in minutes]
- Attendees: [who will be there]
- Key topics: [list topics]
- Decisions needed: [what we need to decide]

Include time allocations for each item.

Status update

Write a status update from these notes:

- Project: [project name]
- Audience: [manager/team/stakeholders]
- Tone: [confident/cautious/urgent]
- Period: [this week/this sprint/this month]

Notes: [paste your rough notes]

Format: Summary, accomplishments, challenges, next steps.

Feedback/Review

Help me write [positive/constructive] feedback for [person/work].

Context: [situation]
What went well: [list positives]
What needs improvement: [list areas]
Tone: [supportive/direct/formal]
Relationship: [peer/direct report/manager]

Creative templates

Brainstorm ideas

Generate [number] ideas for [topic/problem].

Constraints:
- [budget/time/resource limitations]
- [requirements]

Style: [creative/practical/unconventional]
Format: Numbered list with brief explanation of each.

Rewrite content

Rewrite this text:

- New tone: [professional/casual/persuasive]
- New audience: [who will read it]
- New length: [shorter/longer/same]
- Preserve: [key points that must remain]

Original: [paste text]

Pro tips for using templates

  1. Save your customized versions — Once you find what works, save it
  2. Be specific in brackets — More detail = better results
  3. Iterate — First output rarely perfect; refine
  4. Mix and match — Combine elements from different templates
  5. Add examples — When possible, show what you want

What's next

Ready for more advanced techniques?