Defining Output Format
Learn to specify the exact format of the expected response.
Instructions
Output format is a powerful and often underestimated lever in prompt engineering. By specifying exactly how you want to receive information, you transform a response into a directly usable deliverable. Comparison tables, bullet lists, JSON, structured markdown... each format has its advantages. A table is perfect for comparing, a list for enumerating, a paragraph for explaining. In this exercise, you'll ask the AI to compare three tools using a precise tabular format, followed by a structured summary.
Your prompt
Ask the AI to compare 3 project management tools (Notion, Trello, Asana). Your prompt must specify an EXACT output format including: 1. **A markdown table** with the following columns: Tool | Key Features | Pricing (free/paid) | Best For | Learning Curve (1-5) 2. **A "Recommendation" section** below the table: a 3-4 sentence paragraph recommending a tool based on user profile (freelancer, startup, large company) 3. **A final verdict** in one sentence with an emoji The prompt must be precise enough for the table to be complete and the recommendation segmented by profile.
Examples — click to pre-fill: