Anatomy of a Prompt

System vs. User Prompts

User Prompts

• Specific, task-oriented instructions for a particular interaction
• Dynamic and change with each new task
• Define “what” you want the AI to accomplish
• Example: “Summarize this article about digital literacy”

System Prompts

• Overarching instructions defining AI behavior across interactions
• The AI’s “job description” or “personality settings”
• Establish tone, style, ethical boundaries, and designated role
• Example: “You are a helpful librarian assisting patrons with research questions”

The CRAFT Framework

Use the CRAFT method to structure your prompts for best results:

C – Context: Provide relevant background information

R – Role: Define who you want the AI to be

A – Action: Clearly state what you need done

F – Format: Specify how you want the response structured

T – Tweak: Iterate and refine based on results

System Prompting for Regular Users

Even without direct system prompt access, you can include “meta-instructions” at the beginning of your prompts:

“Act as a helpful librarian who specializes in research assistance. When answering my questions, always provide accurate information, suggest additional resources, and maintain a friendly, approachable tone.”

Think of this like setting the “job description” for the AI before asking it to perform specific tasks.

Video content coming soon – placeholder for video embed