Prompt Patterns | My Simple AI Help

What is a prompt pattern?

A prompt pattern is a simple “shape” you can reuse whenever you talk to AI. Instead of trying to remember a long script, you keep a short pattern and fill in the blanks. Patterns make it easier to get useful, steady answers — even on days when you’re tired or not sure what to say.

If you’d like a quick refresher on what a prompt is, you can visit What Is a Prompt?. And as always, avoid including private details like account numbers, Social Security numbers, or medical ID numbers in your prompts.

1. The Role Pattern

Use this when: You want the AI to behave like a specific kind of helper (coach, teacher, planner, editor, etc.).

Instead of saying “Help me with this,” you tell the AI who it should pretend to be. That changes the tone of the answer and the kinds of questions it asks you.


Act as my <type of helper> who understands <type of person or situation>. 

First, ask me 3–5 simple questions so you understand what I really need. 
Then give me a clear, plain-English answer.

Example:

Before: “Help me write a letter.”
After: “Act as my friendly writing coach who understands older adults who are new to AI. Ask me a few questions first, then help me write a short letter I can print and mail.”

2. The Step-by-Step Pattern

Use this when: A topic feels big or overwhelming and you need it broken into small, clear steps.

This pattern tells the AI to slow down and organize the answer as a sequence of steps. It’s especially helpful for learning, planning, and technology tasks.


I’m feeling overwhelmed by this topic: <brief topic>. 

Break it into clear steps for me. 
• First, give me a simple overview in plain English. 
• Then list the steps in order. 
• Finally, tell me what you suggest as a realistic “Step 1” for me this week.

Example:

Before: “Explain how to use AI for budgeting.”
After: “I’m feeling overwhelmed by using AI to help with my monthly budget. Break it into clear steps for me, starting with a simple overview, then the steps, then one small Step 1 I could try this week.”

3. The Fill-in-the-Blanks Pattern

Use this when: You’re not sure what details the AI needs, and you want it to guide you.

This pattern turns the AI into a “form builder.” It creates a simple list of blanks for you to fill in. That way, you don’t have to remember everything at once.


For this kind of task: <example: planning a trip, writing a letter, organizing my week>, 

Create a simple “fill-in-the-blanks” template for me. 
Keep it short and in plain English. 
After you show me the template, ask me each question one at a time and wait for my answers.

Example:

Before: “Plan my week.”
After: “For planning my week, create a short fill-in-the-blanks template and then walk me through each blank one at a time.”

4. The Coaching Questions Pattern

Use this when: You’re not sure what you really want yet and need the AI to ask you questions first.

Instead of rushing into an answer, this pattern tells the AI to pause and interview you. That often leads to more accurate, personal suggestions.


Before you give me suggestions, ask me 5–7 short questions to understand my situation and what I really want. 

After I answer, summarize what you heard. 
Then give me a calm, practical recommendation in plain English.

Example:

Before: “Help me get more organized.”
After: “Before you give me suggestions about getting organized, ask me a handful of short questions about my home, my energy level, and my main trouble spots. Then summarize what you heard and give me practical ideas.”

5. The Rewrite Pattern (“Make it sound like me”)

Use this when: You already have a rough draft and want it clearer, kinder, shorter, or more “you”.

This is one of the most reliable patterns. You do a simple draft, then let the AI polish it while keeping your meaning.


I’m going to paste a draft below. 

Please: 
• Keep my meaning and any important details. 
• Make it sound natural and like a real person talking. 
• Keep the reading level around plain English. 

Here’s my draft: 
---
<paste your text here>
---

Example:

Before: “Rewrite this better:” (and nothing else).
After: Use the pattern above so the AI knows your goals: natural, clear, and still “you.”

6. The Pattern Stack

Use this when: You have an important task and want the AI to be extra careful and helpful.

A “pattern stack” combines two or three patterns together. For example: Role + Step-by-Step + Rewrite. You don’t have to remember all the words — just the idea that you can stack patterns.


Act as my patient planning coach who understands older adults who are new to AI. 

First, use the Coaching Questions pattern: ask me 5–7 short questions to understand my situation. 
Then use the Step-by-Step pattern: break your advice into clear steps. 
Finally, use the Rewrite pattern to help me turn the plan into a short checklist I can print.

Example:

Before: “Help me with everything I’m dealing with.”
After: Stack Role + Coaching Questions + Step-by-Step to get a gentler, clearer plan you can actually use.

How to Practice Prompt Patterns

You don’t have to memorize every word on this page. Instead, pick one or two patterns and practice them a few times this week in short, 10–15 minute sessions.

Step 1: Choose one pattern that feels useful right now (for example, Role or Rewrite).
Step 2: Try it on something small: a short email, a simple question, or a tiny planning task.
Step 3: Notice what you like about the answer, and ask for one small change.
Step 4: Save any prompts that worked well in your own “prompt vault” or notebook.
Step 5: When you feel comfortable, stack two patterns together for important tasks.
Safety reminder: Don’t paste in sensitive numbers (account numbers, SSNs, medical IDs). Use summaries instead of full documents when you can.

If a pattern doesn’t quite work the way you hoped, you can paste it into the Prompt Doctor page and ask for help improving it.

For more examples and beginner-friendly prompt ideas, you can also use these patterns alongside the book Everyday ChatGPT: Practical Tips and Tools for the Beginner.

Over time, these patterns become second nature — and you’ll always have a way to “start the conversation” with AI, even on days when you’re not sure what to say.

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