A Structure for Prompts
Prompting Frameworks
Different situations call for different structures. Pick the shape that fits what you're asking for — then fill in the blanks.
A Structure for Prompts
COSTAR
Context · Objective · Style · Tone · Audience · Response
C
Context
Set the background. Give the AI the relevant facts, constraints, and what's already been done.
O
Objective
Define the goal. The specific task, the desired outcome, and any success criteria.
S
Style
Choose the style. Format or structure, level of detail, and preferences like bullets or tables.
T
Tone
Set the tone that fits your needs — formal, casual, encouraging, analytical, and so on.
A
Audience
Identify the audience. Who reads this, their level of knowledge, what they care about.
R
Response
Specify the response. Output type, length, and any must-include elements.
Applied example
Preparing for a college talk on SKF's sustainability commitments.
Context
I work at SKF, a global industrial company. I'm giving a college talk on our sustainability commitments.
Objective
Help me prepare strong, evidence-based answers to likely student questions.
Style
A question bank with model answers, in clear bullet points.
Tone
Honest, transparent, confident, inspiring.
Audience
College students — informed, curious, passionate about sustainability.
Response
Top 5 likely questions with answers, each 3 bullets.
A Structure for Prompts
RTF
Role · Task · Format
R
Role
Tell the AI who to act as — the expertise or perspective it should adopt.
T
Task
State exactly what you want done — the specific action or job.
F
Format
Specify how the output should be structured — the shape of the deliverable.
Applied example
Preparing for a college talk on SKF's sustainability commitments.
Role
Sustainability advisor.
Task
Draft 10 likely student questions on SKF's sustainability commitments and answer them clearly.
Format
A concise Q&A sheet.
A Structure for Prompts
CARE
Context · Action · Result · Example
C
Context
Set the background — what the AI needs to know about the situation.
A
Action
State the specific action you want the AI to take.
R
Result
Describe the outcome you're aiming for — what success looks like.
E
Example
Give a sample or model to anchor the tone and quality you want.
Applied example
Preparing for a college talk on SKF's sustainability commitments.
Context
Students may ask about climate, circularity, ethics and impact.
Action
Prepare key messages and proof points.
Result
Clear, student-friendly answers.
Example
Include one tough question and a balanced answer.
A Structure for Prompts
TAG
Task · Act as · Goal
T
Task
Define the specific piece of work.
A
Act as
Assign the AI a role or persona to respond from.
G
Goal
State the underlying purpose — why this task matters.
Applied example
Preparing for a college talk on SKF's sustainability commitments.
Task
Write a response to ‘How serious is SKF about sustainability?’
Act as
A leader preparing for a college Q&A.
Goal
Sound credible, balanced and evidence-based.
A Structure for Prompts
RISE
Role · Input · Steps · Expectations
R
Role
Assign the AI's persona or area of expertise.
I
Input
Supply the raw material — facts, priorities, audience, constraints.
S
Steps
Lay out the process you want it to follow.
E
Expectations
Set the bar for quality, rigor, or what to flag as uncertain.
Applied example
Preparing for a college talk on SKF's sustainability commitments.
Role
Sustainability coach.
Input
SKF priorities, public commitments and student audience.
Steps
Identify likely questions, draft answers, suggest proof points.
Expectations
Separate facts from assumptions and flag what to verify.
A Structure for Prompts
BAB
Before · After · Bridge
B
Before
Describe the current, unsatisfactory state.
A
After
Describe the desired future state.
B
Bridge
Ask the AI to define the steps that connect the two.
Applied example
Preparing for a college talk on SKF's sustainability commitments.
Before
I know the topic broadly but may miss hard questions.
After
I have a sharp Q&A bank and stronger responses.
Bridge
Surface likely questions, draft answers and rehearse follow-ups.