What is a prompt and how to draft it correctly
A Prompt is a precise request to the neural network, by which it generates text, image, video, code or any other result. Simply put, a prompt specifies task and outlines the desired format The more specific the prompt, the closer the outcome is to the user's expectations. The more specific the prompt, the closer the outcome is to the user's expectations. For example:
Prompts save hours of customization: instead of manual revision, we "talk" to the model in a language it understands and quickly get a draft that remains to be refined by hand.
Types of Prompts
- Text - modeling tips like Neurochat, ChatGPT, GigaChat or Claude. Use for articles, scripts, instructions.
- Graphic - requests for Midjourney, Kandinsky, Stable Diffusion. Describe the style, composition, and details of the image.
- Video and Audio Prompts - commands to Sora, Runway Gen-2, or Suno AI: generate clips, soundtrack, voiceovers.
- Codes - Instructional Prompts (e.g., "write REST-API on FastAPI").
- Negative Prompts - words or phrases to be eliminated (like these stop words for articles, e.g.).
After selecting the type, it is worth understanding that each prompt is a dialog: the model "cues" guide to the desired topic and style. Graphic prompts often contain long chains of keywords, while code prompts contain precise technical terms. In text prompts, it's important to set context (role and tone) so that ChatGPT doesn't turn a business article into a standup monologue. Mini-tip: add the phrase "ask clarifying questions if something is unclear" - it will save you from unpredictable answers.
A cheat sheet summarizing the main types of prompts, the models on which they are usually given, and the formats of the results.
Prompt type | Example model | Output format |
Text | Neurochat, ChatGPT, GigaChat, Claude. | Text (plain text, Markdown, HTML fragment, JSON structure) |
Graphic | Midjourney, Kandinsky 2.0, Stable Diffusion XL. | Image (PNG, JPG, occasionally WEBP; size, aspect ratio can be set) |
Video / audio | Sora (OpenAI), Runway Gen-2, Suno AI | MP4/WebM video clip or MP3/WAV audio track |
Code | GPT-4o-Code, GitHub Copilot, Code Llama | A code fragment (Python, JS, SQL, etc.), a whole file or a diff patch |
Negative (modifier) | Any graphical model (especially Stable Diffusion) | Not a standalone format, but "minus words" that eliminate artifacts (e.g. blurry, watermark, text) from the final image |
How to read the table: select the type of task, see the recommended model and specify the format it returns. This will help you understand why you need to specify "-o json" for ChatGPT or "aspect ratio 2:1" for Midjourney.
How to write a good prompt - step-by-step instructions
- Define the goal. What exactly do you need to get: the text of a press release, an impressionist portrait, or a SQL query?
Example: "Write a sales email for a b2b audience." - Clarify the format. It is important to specify text length, file extension, and frame proportions.
Example: "Up to 1,200 characters, markdown." - Describe style, genre, emotion. Need light irony or academic rigor?
Example: "The tone is friendly, jargon-free, 5th grade readability." - Add details. Insert keywords, structure, CTAs.
Example: "Be sure to mention 'negative prompt' once." - Set the context. The role of the model influences the selection of vocabulary.
Example: "Imagine you're an SEO specialist with 10 years of experience." - Clarify what shouldn't be there. That's what this is. negative prompt.
Example: "Without selling pathos, don't use the words 'best', 'unique'".
Check and test. Run several iterations: add details until the answer matches the expectation.
Note: Prompt can be built from microqueries-blocks, combining them like LEGO cubes. This modular approach simplifies "fine-tuning" for different tasks.
Common mistakes when drafting prompts
- It's too general a request: "Write an article about marketing." -→ The outcome is vague. Solution: specify the topic, the audience, the format.
- Lack of context: Without a role or purpose, the model guesses the style. Add "imagine you're a Forbes journalist".
- Conflicting requirements: "Make the text academic but conversational." -→ Divide into two versions.
- The prompt is too short for graphics: "Cat." -→ The outcome is random. Complete the style, angle, color.
- Ignoring the negative prompt: models will add unnecessary elements. Immediately exclude "blurry", "text", "logo" (Peekaboo - about negative prompts).
To avoid mistakes, check the prompt against a checklist: purpose, format, style, details, limitations. If one item is empty, finalize it.
Examples of Prompts
Prompt for text
Prompt:
You're an AI copywriter for Sender's email marketing platform. Material Requirements (in detail):
Supplemental Guidelines: |
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Result: A short guide with a "Try it for free" CTA.
Prompt for an image
Prompt:
Ultra-detailed isometric illustration of a futuristic co-working space for AI startups, soft morning light through panoramic windows, sleek white-and-teal color palette, people collaborating with holographic dashboards, depth of field, 8k resolution, --ar 16:9 --style raw --q 2 |
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Result: Clear isometrics, realistic lighting, readable holograms; file 7680 × 4320 px suitable for header on website.
Prompt for the code
Prompt:
You are a senior Python developer. Write a FastAPI project (main.py) that exposes POST /summarize Accepting JSON {"text": "..."}. Requirements: - Use transformers==4.41 with facebook/bart-large-cnn for summarization. - Load the model once on startup (use lifespan event). - Simple bearer-token auth (token = "retextSecret123"). - Return HTTP 400 when len(text) > 20_000 chars. - Provide full code with type hints and README section showing: pip install, uvicorn run, curl test example. |
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Result: g80-line main.py with asynchronous model initialization, requirements.txt, README snippet with curl example; ready to be deployed to Render.
Prompt for the video
Prompt:
Generate a 20-second vertical (9:16) video ad storyboard for an app that teaches Spanish via memes. Scene plan: 0-3 s - Hook: user laughs at viral meme, bold overlay "Bored of flashcards?" 3-7 s - Pain: monotone study apps montage, grayscale filter. 7-14 s - Solution: MemeLingo UI in action, swipe-up gesture, bright colors. 14-18 s - Social proof: rating ★4.9, "2 M+ users". 18-20 s - CTA: "Download MemeLingo now", animated arrow, app-store badges. Style: vibrant, fast cuts, upbeat lo-fi track ≈ 90 BPM. Output: table of time-coded scenes + visual reference links. |
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Result: A 12-frame script with timecodes, color correction and sound design recommendations, and links to mood-boards on Pinterest.
Example of a negative prompt
Prompt:
Portrait of an android violinist on a neon stage, cyberpunk style, rim lighting, 32-bit depth, --neg prompt: blurry, low-res, watermark, text, extra limbs, bad anatomy, fingers glitch |
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Result: Highly detailed metal and leather, clean background without watermark, correct hand and finger anatomy; ready for A3 printing.
The result of creating with this prompt. Nowadays neural networks are already much less likely to make hands with 6-7 fingers. This is just an example of how to avoid common mistakes.
Where to find ready-made prompts and inspiration
- PromptHero - Prompts database with ratings, popular with artists.
- PromptBase - A marketplace that sells niche templates.
- FlowGPT - A collection for ChatGPT with filters by profession.
- Reddit - sabreddits r/Midjourney, r/ChatGPT - cases and discussions.
- Telegram & Discord - channels like AI Prompts Hub sharing tests and tapes of top scores.
Such sites save time: instead of "reinventing the wheel" you adapt a proven prompt to your task.
Prompt tools and generators
- PromptPerfect - optimizes the query, suggests missing details.
- Promptomania - visual builder for Stable Diffusion and Midjourney.
- Lexica.art. - search through millions of graphic prompts, shows previews.
- PromptLayer - stores the history of requests, convenient for A/B-tests.
Each software expands the "vocabulary" of your prompt engineer, allowing you to quickly switch between formats and tasks.
How to use prompts for different tasks
Prompts are universal:
Study. Students create notes, tests, mind-map maps. It is enough to specify the class, subject and scope.
Business. Marketers get email funnel scripts, SEOs get keyword clusters, and HR gets offer-letter templates.
Development. Soft engineers generate boilerplate code or API documentation, check the logic of SQL queries.
Art and Design. Illustrators create quick references, motion designers create moodboard videos, and photographers test unusual compositions.
Ethics and safety
- Don't ask for personal information. Models may "hallucinate" or violate the GDPR.
- Avoid illegal content. Inquiry "generate malware" will be blocked.
- Check fact-checking. Even a perfect prompt does not guarantee absolute accuracy.
- Anonymize the data. Disguise the real F. I.A. before feeding the CRM upload.
Checklist: 10 steps to the perfect text prompter
№ | What to check? |
1 | Is the goal formulated? ("to do...") |
2 | Is the CA and tone specified? |
3 | Is the format/volume limited? |
4 | Is the structure or bullets described? |
5 | Are keywords inserted? |
6 | Is the context or role prescribed? |
7 | Added negative prompt if needed? |
8 | Requested an example (if you need one)? |
9 | Is the language/local of the output specified? |
10 | Any authorization for clarifying questions? |
Results
Prompt is not a magic formula, but a clear algorithm for communicating with the model. We define the goal, set the context, specify details, specify constraints and test. With this approach, even a simple "negative prompt" will improve the quality of the result, and a good prompt will turn a couple of lines of text into a powerful tool for learning, business or creativity.