Mastering the Art of Prompt Crafting: The GCSE Method

I remember (just about) the stress of preparing for my GCSE exams. If only I had Co-Pilot and Chat-GPT to help me! I am an avid user of AI to help me with both my work and personal life. It's amazing how much it can help but it requires a bit of finesse to get the results you want. So, whilst on the topic of GCSEs I thought I'd share how I use the GCSE approach to help me structure amazing prompts for AI.

G is for Goal

Think of this as your thesis statement. Just like in those English essays, you need a clear and concise goal to guide your writing. This sets the stage for everything that follows.

Example:

"Generate 3-5 bullet points to prepare me for a meeting with Client X to discuss their 'Phase 3 - brand campaign.'"

C is for Context

Context is your setting. Remember how you had to explain the context of a poem or a scene? The same rule applies here. Providing context ensures that your AI understands the bigger picture and can tailor its responses accordingly.

Example:

"Client X is launching the third phase of their brand campaign aimed at increasing market visibility."

S is for Source

Sources are like your textual evidence. In your GCSE exams, you'd reference quotes to support your arguments. Here, you specify where the AI should pull its information from, ensuring accuracy and relevance.

Example:

"Focus on Email and Teams chats since June."

E is for Expectations

Finally, set your expectations. This is where you detail how you'd like the information presented, much like the marking criteria for exam. Clear expectations help the AI deliver exactly what you need.

Example:

"Please use simple language so I can get up to speed quickly."

Bringing It All Together

The GCSE Method in Action

Here’s how this method transforms a basic request into a robust, actionable prompt:

Basic Request: "Give me some info on Client X's brand campaign."

Now let's redo this prompt using the GCSE method:

1. Goal: "Generate 3-5 bullet points to prepare me for a meeting with Client X to discuss their 'Phase 3 - brand campaign.'"

2. Context: "Client X is launching the third phase of their brand campaign aimed at increasing market visibility."

3. Source: "Focus on Email and Teams chats since June."

4. Expectations: "Please use simple language so I can get up to speed quickly."

Final Prompt:

"Generate 3-5 bullet points to prepare me for a meeting with Client X to discuss their 'Phase 3 - brand campaign.' Client X is launching the third phase of their brand campaign aimed at increasing market visibility. Focus on Email and Teams chats since June. Please use simple language so I can get up to speed quickly."

By structuring your prompts with the GCSE method, you're not just improving communication with your AI Copilot – you're setting yourself up for success.

So next time you’re crafting a prompt, channel your inner GCSE student. Your AI Copilot (and your future self) will thank you!