Lesson 2 of 10
Define the Goal
A strong prompt starts with the outcome you want, not with a long role-play introduction.
Active reading
Outcome
What should exist at the end?
Audience
Who will use it?
Success
How will you judge it?
Replace vague verbs with a concrete outcome
“Help me with this” leaves the model to guess the task. “Turn these notes into a five-bullet executive update” defines an observable result.
A goal does not need to be long. It needs to be specific enough that you can tell whether the output solved the task.
Example
Weak: “Write about this meeting.” Better: “Turn the meeting notes into decisions, owners and next actions.”
Quick check
Explain this lesson back in one sentence before continuing. If you cannot, reread the example and key takeaway.
Common mistake
Do not hide the real task behind decorative role language.
Key takeaway
State the deliverable first: what should the model produce, for whom, and how will you judge it?