1. ️ The Master Prompt Structure (Copy & Paste Blueprint)
Use this structure to ensure your AI’s output stays grounded in your source documents and hits the right tone every time.
| Section | Purpose & Value | Example |
| GOAL: | Start with the outcome. Use strong action verbs. | Write a LinkedIn post that helps small business owners understand the value of one Zapier automation. |
| ROLE: | Define the AI’s persona to control tone, style, and expertise. | You are a highly compensated AI consultant writing for intermediate business readers. |
| CONTEXT: | Provide necessary background. Include date/time for time-sensitive tasks. | This is for a weekly series on workflow simplification. The post is for a Wednesday 9 AM EST distribution. |
| SOURCE: | The most critical section for accuracy. Instruct the AI to ground its claims only in your documents. (The “Grounding” Command) | Use only the attached document. Cite the filename and section heading for every claim. |
| ✅ EXAMPLE OUTPUT: | Show the AI what good looks like. This instantly sets the formatting and tone. | Here is an example of the tone and format I want: Copy/paste in an example of work you find really well suited. |
| ⚙️ INSTRUCTIONS: | Specific format and style controls. | Tone, Format, and Length. Write like you are speaking to a 10 year old, use professional legal formatting, keep the length under 500 characters. |
| AVOID: | List unwanted topics or corporate jargon. | |
| NEXT STEPS: | Nudge the AI to extend the conversation. | Conclude with 3 suggestions for a follow-up post or a question to encourage replies.
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2. ⚖️ Model Comparison: What the Top AIs Agree On
While their templates differ, the world’s top AI models agree on these core principles. The differences highlight where you can gain a competitive edge in your prompting.
| Feature | Claude | ChatGPT | Gemini | Perplexity | Shared Best Practice |
| Success Criteria | ✅ Yes | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Defines what a “good” response is. |
| “Grounding” (Source Control) | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Crucial for accuracy and preventing “hallucinations.” |
| Persona Traits | Lightly Mentioned | Implied | Explicit | ❌ | Tailors language, tone, and structure. |
| Call to Action / Next Step | Implied | Bonus Only | Included | ❌ | Nudges the AI to extend the conversation. |
| Markdown Emphasis | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Strong | Controls output format (bullet points, tables, etc.). |
✅ All four models agree on this core foundation:
- Define a clear goal up front
- Assign a Role/Persona to the AI
- Provide Context/Background
- Control Output Format and Tone
- Include/Exclude Sources and topics to avoid
| Model | Key Focus & Unique Features | Actionable Takeaway for You |
| Claude AI |
Strong on source control and uses “Success Criteria” to clarify the desired output. It offers a structured template that’s easy to follow.
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Always define the “Success Criteria” for your Ask Lucy templates (e.g., “Success = The final output must use the client’s brand colors (purple, black, white) in the accompanying Canva image instructions.”). |
| ChatGPT |
Emphasizes clarity and specificity in the Goal right away, recommending action verbs. Provides a clean, reusable, “fill-in-the-blank” template.
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Start every prompt with an Action Verb. Draft, analyze, generate, etc. |
| Gemini |
Strong attention to source authority and topic exclusions. It uniquely encourages specifying date, time, and location and includes a Call to Action/Next Steps to extend the conversation.
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Use the “Call to Action/Next Steps” block to make your AI your partner. (e.g., “Before finishing, suggest 3 questions I should ask the client about this draft.”). |
| Perplexity |
Uses a headline-style opener and separates the Main Question as a specific block. It is highly markdown-friendly.
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Use a short, powerful title/headline at the top of your prompt to mentally reset your AI for the new task. |
Final Takeaway
You can’t just talk to the AI; you have to train it. The best way to train it is to give it the right information (Grounding) and the right formatting (Example Output). Master this blueprint, and you’ll transform your AI assistant into your most reliable employee.
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