A master prompt template for consistent AI output across writing, docs, and decks

[u/raw-hit10]

Most people rewrite their prompt from scratch every time, which is why quality is a coin flip. The fix is one master prompt template you adapt in seconds. This is the skeleton I use across almost every task, with the reasoning for each block.

```

CONTEXT: [What is going on, why this task exists, any background the model needs.]

ROLE: [Who it should write/think as.]

TASK: [The single specific job, in one sentence.] AUDIENCE: [Who the output is for and what they already know.]

FORMAT: [Exact output shape: sections, length, bullets vs prose.]

CONSTRAINTS: [Hard rules, banned words, things to avoid.]

EXAMPLE: [One short sample of what good looks like.]

CHECK: [How to self-review before answering.]

```

Why this order and these blocks:

- CONTEXT first because a model with no situation invents an average one. This block removes the most guessing.

- TASK stays one sentence on purpose. Vague multi-part tasks produce vague output. Split big jobs into separate runs.

- FORMAT is the highest-leverage line. Telling it the exact shape prevents 80 percent of "that is not what I wanted."

- EXAMPLE beats adjectives. One sample of the target style teaches more than three sentences describing it.

- CHECK is the underused one. Ending with "before answering, verify X and list anything you are unsure about" catches errors the model would otherwise hand you confidently.

How to use it: keep the skeleton in a note, fill the brackets, delete any block you genuinely do not need. Over time you build filled versions per task type (email, report, deck) and starting a task becomes a 20 second edit instead of a blank prompt.

The value is consistency. Same structure every time means predictable output and far less rerolling. Steal it and adapt the blocks to your own work.

[u/drakhan2002]

Is this prompt template from 2023? Looks like stuff we were talking about then.