Module 02: AI and Prompting Foundations
Lesson 02.2: The Four-Part Prompt Formula: Goal, Context, Expectations, Source
Lesson Promise
Use a simple formula that works across Copilot apps.
Real-World Scenario
A team needs a prompt pattern simple enough for everyone to remember.
Core Concept
The formula is goal, context, expectations, and source. It gives Copilot enough direction while keeping the output reviewable.
Source guidance is the part beginners most often skip, and it is often the difference between useful and risky output.
Step-By-Step Workflow
- Write the goal in one sentence.
- Add audience and background context.
- Specify output expectations.
- Name sources to use or avoid.
- Ask for assumptions.
- Check the result.
Prompt Lab
Bad Prompt
Summarize this report.
Better Prompt
Summarize this report for executives in five bullets using only the attached report and flag any assumptions.
Expert Prompt
Use the four-part prompt formula for this task: goal, context, expectations, and source. Ask clarifying questions first, then produce the output, assumptions, source gaps, and review checklist.
Hands-On Exercise
Write one prompt using the formula for summary, draft, analysis, and planning.
Deliverable
A four-part prompt formula worksheet.
Prompt Foundations Checklist
Common Mistakes
- Asking vague prompts and blaming the tool for vague answers.
- Providing context without source boundaries.
- Forgetting to specify audience, format, tone, and length.
- Restarting every time instead of iterating.
- Skipping review because the answer is well written.
Quiz / Checkpoint
Why include source guidance?
It tells Copilot what context to rely on, what to ignore, and what must be verified.
Official Sources To Verify
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