Prompt templates for real situations
Templates beat prompting from scratch every time
Once you find a prompt structure that works for a recurring task, save it. A small library of reliable templates is worth more than any amount of prompting theory.
The templates below are tested and ready to use. Square brackets [like this] are placeholders — replace them with your details.
For work communication
Rewrite an email
"Rewrite this email to be [more professional / friendlier / more direct / shorter]. Keep the core message but improve the tone. Here is the email: [paste email]"
Write a difficult message
"Help me write a message to [person/role] about [situation]. I want to be [honest/diplomatic/firm] without being [aggressive/passive/vague]. Key points I need to make: [list them]. Keep it under 150 words."
Summarise a meeting or document
"Summarise the following into: 1) the 3 most important points, 2) any decisions made, 3) action items with owners if mentioned. [paste content]"
For thinking and decisions
Work through a decision
"I'm deciding whether to [decision]. Here's my situation: [context]. What are the strongest arguments for each option? Then tell me what information I'm missing that would help me decide."
Challenge your thinking
"I believe [your position]. Steel-man the opposing view — give me the strongest possible case against my position, as argued by someone who has thought carefully about it."
For learning
Explain a concept
"Explain [concept] to me. I know [what you already know]. Use an analogy to make it concrete. Then tell me the one thing most people misunderstand about it."
Prepare for a conversation
"I have a [meeting/interview/difficult conversation] about [topic] with [person/role]. What are the 5 most important things I should know or prepare? What questions should I be ready to answer?"
For content and writing
Write in your voice
"Here is an example of my writing style: [paste example]. Now write [what you need] in the same voice and tone. Topic: [topic]. Length: [length]."
Edit without losing your voice
"Edit the following for clarity and flow. Remove filler words, tighten sentences, but keep my voice and don't change the meaning. [paste text]"
Pick 3 templates from above that match tasks you do regularly. Save them somewhere you can find them — a notes app, a document, anywhere. Customise the placeholders for your most common situation. You now have a personal prompt library. Add to it whenever you find a prompt that works well.