Writing Effective Task Instructions for AI
Learning Objectives
- Understand how task instructions control AI output and behaviour
- Learn to write clear, specific instructions that eliminate ambiguity
- Master techniques for breaking down complex requests into manageable parts
Introduction
Task instructions are the commands that tell AI exactly what you want it to do. They're the most critical part of any prompt because they determine whether you get useful results or confusing output. In modular prompting, task instructions work as standalone blocks that you can combine with other components to create powerful, reusable prompts.
This chapter will show you how to write task instructions that get results, whether you're asking AI to rewrite content, summarise reports, structure information, or explain complex topics.
Lessons
Understanding Task Instructions
Task instructions are direct commands that specify the action you want AI to perform. Think of them as the "do this" part of your prompt. Without clear task instructions, even the best context and examples won't help you get what you need.
Good task instructions have three parts: the action (what to do), the subject (what to work with), and the specifications (how to do it). For example: "Rewrite this email to sound more professional, keeping it under 150 words and maintaining a friendly tone."
The key is being specific enough that someone else could follow your instructions and produce similar results.
Writing Clear Action Commands
Start every task instruction with a specific action verb. Instead of vague words like "help with" or "work on," use precise commands like "rewrite," "summarise," "list," "explain," or "convert."
Here's how to structure your action commands:
- Begin with the verb: "Summarise this report"
- Add the target length or format: "Summarise this report in three bullet points"
- Include style requirements: "Summarise this report in three bullet points using simple language"
Avoid compound actions in single instructions. Instead of "rewrite and shorten this text," split it into two separate task instructions you can use as needed.
Handling Complex Requests
When you need AI to handle complex tasks, break them into smaller, specific instructions. This approach gives you better control and more consistent results.
For complex requests, create a sequence of task instructions:
- Start with the main action
- Add specific requirements for each aspect
- Include formatting or style guidelines
- Specify what to avoid or exclude
For example, instead of asking AI to "create a comprehensive marketing plan," you might use separate instructions like "List five target audience segments" and "Write three key messages for each segment."
This bit most people miss: you can test each instruction separately before combining them, which makes troubleshooting much easier.
Common Instruction Patterns
Certain instruction patterns work well across different types of tasks:
Transformation tasks: "Convert [input] into [format] following [guidelines]"
Analysis tasks: "Identify [specific elements] in [content] and explain [what about them]"
Creation tasks: "Generate [quantity] [type of content] that [meets these criteria]"
Simplification tasks: "Explain [complex topic] using [simple language/analogies/examples]"
These patterns give you a starting framework you can adapt for specific needs.
Testing and Refining Instructions
Roll your sleeves up and test your instructions with different inputs. What works for one type of content might not work for another.
When testing task instructions:
- Try them with various content types
- Check if the output matches your expectations
- Note where the AI gets confused or produces inconsistent results
- Refine the wording based on what you find
Keep a collection of your best-performing task instructions. You'll use them repeatedly once you find ones that work well.
Practice
Create task instructions for these scenarios:
- Turn a technical manual section into a simple how-to guide for beginners
- Extract the main points from a meeting transcript and format them as action items
- Rewrite a formal business letter to sound conversational while keeping all the important information
Test each instruction with sample content and refine them based on the results you get.
FAQs
How specific should task instructions be?
Specific enough that you'd get consistent results if different people followed them. Include details about length, tone, format, and any requirements or restrictions.
What's the difference between task instructions and context?
Task instructions tell AI what to do. Context tells AI what it's working with and any background it needs to know. Both are important but serve different purposes.
Can I use multiple task instructions in one prompt?
Yes, but be careful about conflicting requirements. It's often better to sequence tasks or use separate prompts for complex multi-step processes.
How do I know if my task instructions are working?
Test them multiple times with different inputs. Good task instructions produce consistent, relevant results that match your expectations.
Jargon Buster
Task Instructions – Direct commands that specify what action you want AI to perform
Action Verb – The specific word that tells AI what to do (rewrite, summarise, explain, etc.)
Modular Prompting – A system where prompts are built from separate, reusable components
Prompt Components – Individual elements like task instructions, context, and examples that combine to create complete prompts
Wrap-up
Clear task instructions are the foundation of effective AI prompts. Start with specific action verbs, add detailed requirements, and test your instructions to refine them. Break complex requests into smaller parts, and build a library of instructions that work well for your common tasks.
Next, you'll learn how to combine task instructions with other prompt components to create even more powerful and flexible prompting systems.