# 1a Absolute Basics — Prompt Template

> **The Human Intern Test:** Before sending, ask yourself — would these instructions work for a new hire on their first day? If not, add more detail.

---

## Blank Template

Copy this and fill in the `[bracketed parts]` before every task.

```markdown
## Context
Who I am: [role or background]
What's happening: [situation or background the model needs]
Who this is for: [audience or recipient, if any]

## Task
I need: [one sentence describing what you want]

## Requirements
Include:
- [must-have 1]
- [must-have 2]
- [must-have 3]

Exclude:
- [avoid 1]
- [avoid 2]

## Style
Tone: [professional / friendly / formal / playful / urgent]
Length: [one paragraph / under 100 words / one page / three sentences]
Format: [plain text / bullet points / table / markdown / JSON]
```

---

## Filled Example

Here's the same template filled in for the bookstore proposal walkthrough from the lesson:

```markdown
## Context
Who I am: owner of a small marketing agency
What's happening: I have a prospect meeting next week with a local bookstore owner who wants help with marketing
Who this is for: the bookstore owner, who has no marketing background

## Task
I need: a one-page proposal outlining two services I could provide

## Requirements
Include:
- Brief intro about my agency (humble, no hype — we're a small team)
- Two services: social media management ( Instagram, Facebook) + monthly email newsletter
- A rough 90-day timeline showing when each phase launches
- Two pricing options: one basic, one full-service

Exclude:
- Corporate jargon or buzzwords
- Competitor names
- Claims we can't back up

## Style
Tone: professional but warm
Length: one page when printed
Format: clean sections with headings, easy to scan
```

---

## Tips

- **Be specific about what to avoid.** "Don't use jargon" is more useful than "make it good."
- **State the audience.** The model writes differently for a CEO vs a teenager vs a regulator.
- **One task per prompt.** If you need two different things, send two separate prompts.
- **Save your best prompts.** When one works well, keep it — you'll use it again.