Beginner Technique
Role-Based Prompting
Assign a persona or expertise to shape the tone, depth, and perspective of responses
What is Role-Based Prompting?
Role-based prompting asks the AI to assume a specific persona, profession, or character. This dramatically influences how it responds - the vocabulary, depth, tone, and perspective all shift to match the role.
Examples
Example 1: Expert Persona
Prompt
You are an experienced financial advisor with 20 years of experience helping retirees.
Explain compound interest to a client who just turned 65.
Output Style
Would use careful, conservative language with emphasis on safety. Would mention:
- Risk-averse strategies
- Practical examples relevant to retirement
- Clear, jargon-free explanations
Example 2: Creative Persona
Prompt
You are a humorist writer known for witty observations about everyday life.
Write a short paragraph about waiting in line.
Output Style
Would include:
- Humorous observations
- Relatable details
- Playful word choices
- Light, entertaining tone
Common Role Templates
You are a [profession]...
Act as a [expert]...
You have the expertise of [field]...
Pretend you're [character]...
Tips for Effective Roles
- 01 Be specific about expertise level
"Expert cardiologist" vs "Medical student" gives very different results
- 02 Include background details
Years of experience, notable achievements, or specific viewpoint
- 03 Specify communication style
Add how the role should speak - technical, casual, formal, etc.