The 5 Steps Framework of AI Prompting

As someone who’s diving deep into the world of AI every day, I’ve learned that getting the best out of these tools isn’t just about asking a question—it’s about crafting the perfect prompt. Over time, I discovered a 5-step process that has completely transformed how I interact with AI. Here’s a breakdown of the process I follow, along with some insights from my personal experience.

1. Task: Define What You Need

The first step is all about clarity. Before you even hit enter, ask yourself: What do I want the AI to do?

For example, if I’m looking for gift ideas for an anime-loving friend’s birthday, my initial thought might be:

“Suggest a gift related to anime for my friend’s birthday.”

But here’s the trick—don’t just stop there. To get more precise results, I often refine the task by specifying the role or perspective I want the AI to adopt. For instance:

“Act as an anime expert and suggest unique, collectible anime gifts for my friend’s birthday.”

By clearly defining the task and even assigning a persona, I set the stage for the AI to provide more tailored and accurate responses.

2. Context: Provide the Backstory

Next, it’s important to supply the context. Think of it as giving background information that the AI can use to understand the situation better.

For instance, if my friend is into specific series like Naruto, Solo Leveling, and Shangri-La Frontier, I make sure to include those details. This additional context helps the AI narrow down its suggestions to things that really resonate with my friend’s interests. In my experience, the more details you provide, the more relevant the output becomes.

3. References: Show Examples

Sometimes, words just aren’t enough to explain your vision. That’s where references come in. I’ve found that sharing examples—like mentioning a previous gift that was a hit—can work wonders.

For example, I might say:

“Last year, I gave my friend a limited-edition Demon Slayer plush, and she loved it.”

Including references like this gives the AI a benchmark, ensuring that its suggestions align with what has worked before. It’s like showing a friend a picture of a gift you loved so they know exactly what style or quality you’re aiming for.

4. Evaluate: Check the Output

After I receive the AI’s response, I take a moment to evaluate it. This step is crucial—ask yourself, “Does this answer meet my needs?”

I compare the suggestions with my original intent. If something feels off or too generic, it’s a clear sign that further refinement is needed. Evaluating helps me gauge the quality of the output before moving forward.

5. Iterate: Refine and Repeat

Rarely do you nail it on the first try. Iterating means refining your prompt based on the feedback you get. If the initial response isn’t exactly what you were looking for, adjust your prompt.

For instance, if the AI suggests too many generic items, I might tweak my request to:

“Considering my friend’s love for limited-edition collectibles, suggest two budget-friendly anime gifts under $50.”

Each iteration improves the clarity of my instructions, leading to more precise and useful outputs. I view it as a conversation—each round brings us closer to the perfect answer.

A Quirky Mnemonic: Tiny Crabs Ride Enormous Iguanas

To help me remember these five steps, I use a fun mnemonic: Tiny Crabs Ride Enormous Iguanas.

This stands for:

• Task
• Context
• References
• Evaluate
• Iterate

It might sound silly, but it’s incredibly effective when I’m in the zone and need a quick reminder of my prompting process.