Prompts have a job
Ask for missing questions before better wording
Before polishing a prompt, ask whether the job, evidence, and decision boundary are complete.
1Learn the idea
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JOBS playbook
See it
Role + task + context + format = clearer output
- Job: name the artifact and supported decision.
- Observed inputs: provide sufficient, permitted sources.
- Boundaries: state what not to infer and when to abstain.
- Success: define checks and rejection conditions.
If a field is missing, ask a question before generating the artifact.
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Corrective guide
- Invented facts → narrow sources and require
UNKNOWN. - Beautiful but unusable output → specify reader, format, and decision.
- Unsupported verdict → request criteria and evidence, not a winner.
- Private inputs → minimize, synthesize, use an approved system, or stop.
- Endless revisions → return to the success bar or use another method.
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Independent mastery task
Design a prompt for planning a volunteer event. Supply safe source notes, define the artifact and decision, include an abstention rule, and create three acceptance checks. Produce an output, audit it, and document the final human choice.
Related lessons
Check your understanding
Page assessment
Answer from memory. Completion is saved from this evidence, not from opening the next page.
Can another person trace every factual output to a supplied source and see who owns the decision? If not, revise the job before the wording.
All responses are required.