The Prompt Framework That Changed How I Use ChatGPT

How one small shift in phrasing led to dramatically better AI responses

Author

Robert Evans
June 10, 2025

— Part 1 of the Prompt Frameworks Series

If you’ve ever asked ChatGPT to “write something” and ended up with a bland, generic, or wildly off-target response, you’re not alone.

Most people don’t get great results from language models because they’re asking vague questions with unclear goals. What if there were a way to change that?

This is the first article in a new series where I’ll share the prompt frameworks I use to get consistent, strategic, and high-quality responses from AI tools, especially ChatGPT. These aren’t gimmicks or hacks. They’re repeatable structures that work across use cases: writing, marketing, strategy, storytelling, even product development.

We’re starting with one of the most foundational (and underrated) frameworks: Objective-Outcome Prompting.

It’s simple. It's flexible. And it might just change the way you interact with AI.

What Is Objective-Outcome Prompting?

At its core, this framework forces clarity: Who is speaking? What are they trying to accomplish? And how will we know if the output is successful?

Here’s the structure:

You are a [role or expert].
Your task is to [specific objective].
The desired outcome is to [what success looks like].
Consider [any tone, format, audience, or constraints].
If unsure about a fact, say so and explain your reasoning.

It’s not flashy. But it’s one of the most reliable ways to guide an AI system toward the kind of response you actually want.

Real-World Examples

To see how this works in practice, here are three escalating examples, each designed to push the framework a little further.

1. A Simple Use Case

You are a teacher.
Your task is to explain how AI works to a 10-year-old.
The desired outcome is a friendly explanation that’s easy to understand and remember.

Even this beginner-level example provides structure, voice, audience, and intent. Compare that to simply saying “Explain AI,” the difference in tone and clarity is dramatic.

2. A Professional Use Case

You are a career advisor.
Your task is to help a recent college graduate write their first resume.
The desired outcome is a 1-page resume targeted to entry-level tech jobs.
Consider clarity, simplicity, and ordinary applicant tracking system filters.

Here, we’re layering in formatting constraints, audience needs, and domain-specific considerations, precisely the kinds of things that make an output truly usable.

3. A High-Stakes Use Case

You are a SaaS onboarding strategist.
Your task is to create a 5-part welcome email sequence for a new AI writing tool.
The desired outcome is to drive activation within 7 days by prompting users to:

* Install the Chrome extension

* Run their first prompt

* Share their output with a colleague

Use a playful but confident tone.
Each email should be under 150 words, include a single CTA, and address a specific user hesitation or benefit.
If unsure about best practices, note the assumption and explain your reasoning.

This is where the framework shines: you’re not just telling the AI what to write, you’re giving it a role, a strategy, a tone, an outcome, and clear parameters.

Why Most Prompts Fail, and How This Fixes It

Most prompts fail because they lack structure. The AI doesn’t know who it's supposed to be, what success looks like, or what constraints to honor.

Objective-Outcome Prompting fixes that by answering five critical questions:

  1. Who is speaking?

  2. What is the task?

  3. What should the output accomplish?

  4. What should guide the tone, style, or structure?

  5. What should happen if there’s ambiguity or uncertainty?

It’s not magic. It’s just better communication.

Try It Yourself

Here’s a fill-in-the-blank version you can copy and adapt:

You are a [role or expert].
Your task is to [do something specific].
The desired outcome is [clear result or deliverable].
Consider [tone, format, audience, or constraints].
If unsure about any facts, state that clearly.

Once you’ve run this through ChatGPT, look at the output and ask:

  • Does this match the voice I wanted?

  • Does it accomplish the goal I set?

  • Did it handle uncertainty well?

If yes, you’ve got your first win with structured prompting.

What’s Next in the Series

Next week, I’ll break down a completely different kind of framework—one built for emotionally engaging, viral content. It’s fast, modular, and perfect for marketers, creators, or anyone writing for the scroll.