Prompt like an Operator
Write a clear request and improve it after checking the result.
Reviewed: 2026-10-03
Source-based teaching example · Fictional data
Narration: Microsoft Mark · locally synthesized

00:00:00.000 — What you will learn

Write a clear request and improve it after checking the result.

Visual description:
Write a clear request and improve it after checking the result.

00:00:06.500 — The idea

Tell the assistant the situation, the task, the rules and the source facts. Inspect its draft for a specific failure. Change an instruction to address that failure, then check the new draft.

Visual description:
Tell the assistant the situation, the task, the rules and the source facts. Inspect its draft for a specific failure. Change an instruction to address that failure, then check the new draft.

00:00:22.458 — One useful term

CTSE. Context, Task, Standards and Evidence: the situation, job, rules and source facts.

Visual description:
Context, Task, Standards and Evidence: the situation, job, rules and source facts.

00:00:34.208 — A worked example

A draft says an untested AI trial cut processing time by 40 percent. The source gives no measured savings. Replace that claim with a proposal to measure processing time during the trial.

Visual description:
A draft says an untested AI trial cut processing time by 40 percent. The source gives no measured savings. Replace that claim with a proposal to measure processing time during the trial.

00:00:49.625 — Your turn to think

Does rewriting the prompt guarantee the next draft is correct? Pause and decide before continuing.

Visual description:
Does rewriting the prompt guarantee the next draft is correct?
Pause the video if you need more time.

00:01:06.917 — Why this answer works

No. Better instructions may help. You must still check the result against the evidence.

Visual description:
No. Better instructions may help. You must still check the result against the evidence.

00:01:16.125 — Check 1

State the audience and output.

Visual description:
State the audience and output.

00:01:21.000 — Check 2

Keep plans different from results.

Visual description:
Keep plans different from results.

00:01:26.208 — Check 3

Explain which observed error your revision addresses.

Visual description:
Explain which observed error your revision addresses.

00:01:32.292 — Now try a different case

Open the lesson and try its different practice case. Use every check in the full task. Watching alone does not mark the lesson complete.

Visual description:
Open the lesson
Try the new case
Check and revise
The full task and its requirements are in the linked lesson.