Part 3 - Working With Your Own Material
14. Build a Reusable Script (Template)
Goal: Turn a good one-off prompt into a template you can reuse with blanks to fill.
Once a prompt works well, save it as a template with placeholders in [brackets]. Next time you only change the blanks. This is exactly why we call prompts 'scripts' - they are reusable tools, not throwaway messages.
A strong template usually has the same building blocks: role, context, task, format, length and rules. Fill them in and you have a reliable prompt every time.
The Script (Template)
You are [ROLE]. Context: [CONTEXT]. Task: [TASK]. Format: [FORMAT]. Length: [LENGTH]. Rules: [RULES].
Worked Example
You write
You are a helpful careers advisor. Context: I am applying for [JOB] and have [EXPERIENCE]. Task: write a short cover-letter opening paragraph. Format: one paragraph. Length: under 80 words. Rules: confident, specific, no cliches. (Filled in: JOB = junior data analyst, EXPERIENCE = a statistics degree and one internship.)
AI replies (sample)
As a statistics graduate with hands-on internship experience turning raw data into clear insights, I was excited to see your junior data analyst opening. I combine solid analytical training with a proven habit of asking the questions that make numbers useful to a team.
Why it works
The template's blanks (JOB, EXPERIENCE) were the only things that changed; the proven structure did the rest. Reuse it for any job by swapping the blanks.
Do & Avoid
Tips
- Keep placeholders in [CAPS] so they are easy to spot and replace.
- Store your best templates in a document - your growing prompt library.
Common Mistakes
- Rebuilding a good prompt from scratch every time instead of templating it.
- Forgetting to replace a placeholder before sending.
Practice
- Turn your best prompt so far into a template with at least two placeholders.
- Reuse the template for a different situation by changing only the blanks.
Teacher Notes Suggested: 25 min
Learning objectives
- Students convert a working prompt into a reusable template.
- Students recognise the standard building blocks.
Talking points
- This is the conceptual heart of the course: prompts as reusable scripts.
- Have students start a shared class library of templates.
Answer key / what good looks like
- Templates should have clear placeholders and reusable structure.
- Reuse should require changing only the blanks.
Discussion questions
- Which tasks in your studies do you repeat often enough to template?