Prompt engineering at scale
Reuse prompts while checking both output format and meaning.
Reviewed: 2026-10-03
Source-based teaching example · Fictional data
Narration: Microsoft Mark · locally synthesized

00:00:00.000 — What you will learn

Reuse prompts while checking both output format and meaning.

Visual description:
Reuse prompts while checking both output format and meaning.

00:00:06.542 — The idea

Reusable instructions need reusable tests. A response can have the right format and still contain invented facts. Treat refusal and cut-off output separately from success.

Visual description:
Reusable instructions need reusable tests. A response can have the right format and still contain invented facts. Treat refusal and cut-off output separately from success.

00:00:21.250 — One useful term

Structured output. An answer in a specified format, such as fields in a JSON object.

Visual description:
An answer in a specified format, such as fields in a JSON object.

00:00:30.917 — A worked example

The résumé input says only that someone led a team. The output invents 47 staff and a 96 percent success rate. Valid JSON does not make either number true.

Visual description:
The résumé input says only that someone led a team. The output invents 47 staff and a 96 percent success rate. Valid JSON does not make either number true.

00:00:45.458 — Your turn to think

Does passing a format check prove that the content is supported? Pause and decide before continuing.

Visual description:
Does passing a format check prove that the content is supported?
Pause the video if you need more time.

00:01:02.750 — Why this answer works

No. Check claims against the input. Ask for missing figures instead of inventing them.

Visual description:
No. Check claims against the input. Ask for missing figures instead of inventing them.

00:01:11.917 — Check 1

Validate the format.

Visual description:
Validate the format.

00:01:16.333 — Check 2

Check factual support separately.

Visual description:
Check factual support separately.

00:01:21.458 — Check 3

Handle refusals and incomplete outputs explicitly.

Visual description:
Handle refusals and incomplete outputs explicitly.

00:01:27.625 — 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.