Prompt Engineering 2025: How to write prompts for LLMs (Guide + Templates)

You open a chat with ChatGPT, Claude, or DeepSeek. You write: “Write a post for social media” or “Make me a workout plan.” You get a long, boring wall of text full of clichés like “in today’s dynamic world.”

Sound familiar? You sigh and rewrite it yourself. You spend more time than doing it from scratch.

Good news: the model isn’t dumb. It’s just too obedient. Many people ask “how to use ChatGPT correctly” without realizing the main rule: if the task is vague, the model chooses the safest, most average path.

In this article we’ll break down the R.Z.K.F.S. method — a simple 5-step formula that turns your requests into clear briefs. It’s the foundation of prompt engineering, accessible to everyone.

Why AI “pours water”: the bad boss effect

Imagine you hired a genius intern who knows everything, but has zero context for your life.

If you say “Buy food,” they’ll bring bread and milk. You wanted steak.
If you say “Buy ribeye steak and a bottle of red dry wine for dinner,” you’ll get exactly what you wanted.

Same with LLMs. We often act like “bad bosses”: give fuzzy commands, then scold the worker.

Your goal: stop being an editor who fixes mistakes, become an art director who controls the result.

The R.Z.K.F.S. formula: 5 components of a perfect prompt

To get results on the first try, use a professional brief structure. Remember R.Z.K.F.S. — it’s the gold standard.

1. R — Role (Who is doing this?)

Set a persona. It switches the model’s thinking and language.

No role: The answer reads like a school essay.
With a role: The answer is expert and deep.

Examples: “You are an experienced SMM marketer”, “You are a strict editor”, “You are a caring fitness coach”.

2. Z — Task (What to do?)

One prompt — one action. Don’t mix everything together. Use strong verbs.

Bad: “Think about the text…”
Good: “Write…”, “Outline…”, “Analyze the data…”.

3. K — Context (Input data)

The most important part. Without context the AI hallucinates. Give it the “meat.”

For whom: Who will read this? (Customers, kids, investors).
Goal: What do we want? (Sell, make them laugh, reassure).
Constraints: What is forbidden?

Example: “Audience — moms on maternity leave with no time. Goal — support them, not lecture.”

4. F — Format (How to package?)

Don’t format by hand. Let the model do it.

Options: Table, bullet list, short Telegram post, HTML, email.

5. S — Style (Tone of Voice)

Filter out pompous, cliché “success” talk.

How to write: “Be concise”, “Use humor and irony”, “As if for a 5-year-old.”

Practice: Before and After

Let’s see how a bad request turns into a perfect prompt.

Case: Congratulate colleagues on New Year

❌ Typical request:

“Write a New Year greeting to colleagues.”

🤮 LLM result:

“Dear colleagues! On this wonderful winter day I wish you happiness, health, and hitting all KPIs…” (Boring, templated.)

✅ Request using R.Z.K.F.S.:

(Role) You are the informal team lead.
(Task) Write a short greeting in chat.
(Context) The year was tough, but we made it.
(Format) 3 short sentences + emoji.
(Style) Heartfelt, no corporate fluff.

😍 LLM result:

“Team, we did it! 🚀 The year was insane, but we didn’t just survive — we won. Thanks to everyone who was there. Exhale and grab the Olivier salad! 🎄”

3 ready-to-use prompt templates (Copy & Paste)

We prepared universal templates you can drop into ChatGPT, Claude, or any LLM right now. Just fill in your data.

1. Idea generation (SMM and Blog)

When you need a content plan or article ideas.

Role: You are a creative SMM strategist.
Task: Come up with 5 post topics.
Context: Blog about [YOUR TOPIC, e.g., DIY home repair]. Readers are beginners afraid of mistakes and overpaying.
Format: Table (Headline | Customer pain | What to write).
Style: Lively, useful, no fluff.

2. Learning and explaining (Simple English / Feynman)

Use this to grasp a complex topic in 5 minutes.

Role: Teacher who explains hard things in simple words (Feynman method).
Task: Explain the topic [TOPIC, e.g., how investing works].
Context: I’m a total beginner, don’t understand terms or numbers.
Format: Use analogies from everyday life (food, cars, gardening).
Style: Friendly, maximally clear.

3. Business correspondence and negotiations

Helps write a tough email to a client or partner without burning bridges.

Role: Expert in business negotiations and etiquette.
Task: Write a polite but firm refusal.
Context: We’re invited to a meeting/asked for a discount [DESCRIBE SITUATION], but we can’t agree. We want to keep good relations.
Format: Email, 3–4 short paragraphs.
Style: Respectful, empathetic, professional.