Lesson 4: Task
Prompt Engineering Basics · Lesson 4 of 10
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The Big Idea
The Task states exactly what the AI should produce. A role tells the AI who to be. The task tells it what to do.
Vague vs. Specific
| Vague Task | Specific Task |
|---|---|
| ”Help me with budgeting." | "Write a one-page guide to building a monthly budget." |
| "Tell me about this contract." | "List the five clauses in this contract that carry the most risk, and explain each in one sentence." |
| "Give me ideas." | "Give me ten names for a neighborhood tutoring program, each under three words.” |
A Good Task Usually Names
- The deliverable — a guide, a list, a table, an email, a plan
- The size — one page, five items, three options
- The action — write, compare, summarize, critique, rank
Try It
Rewrite one vague request you’ve made to AI this week as a specific task. Name the deliverable, the size, and the action.
Learn the principle. Then practice it.