🪜 The Prompt Ladder

UFT Professional Learning • Session 2 Activity
Your Name
My Scenario (one real task from my job):
1
THE BARE ASK
One sentence. No context. Just the ask.
10 PTS
Your Challenge:
Write the simplest possible version of your task as a single-sentence prompt. No role, no context, no format instructions.
① Write prompt
② Paste into AI
③ Read result (notice how generic it is)
④ Paste to Padlet: NAME — Level 1
My Level 1 prompt: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2
TASK + CONTEXT
Add WHO it's for, WHY it's needed, WHAT must be included.
25 PTS
Add at least 2 of these:

          WHO is the audience?
          WHY is this needed?
          WHAT must be included?
          WHERE will it be used?
        
① Build on Level 1 (don't start over)
② Run it
③ Compare to Level 1
④ Paste to Padlet: NAME — Level 2
Context I added: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3
CONTEXT + TASK + FORMAT
Add your role + tell the AI exactly HOW to structure the output.
40 PTS
Add both of these power moves:

          YOUR ROLE: "I am a UFT ___________"
          FORMAT: email / bullet list / FAQ / table / script / numbered steps
        
Format options: email with subject line • 3–5 bullets • FAQ • step-by-step list • comparison table • social post (<280 chars)
① Add your role + a format spec
② Run it — notice the structure
③ Paste to Padlet: NAME — Level 3
Format I chose: _________________    My role statement: _______________________________________
4
⭐ THE FULL PACKAGE — EXPERT
Add a full persona + a constraint. The complete professional prompt.
50 PTS + VOTE BONUS
Add both upgrades:

          PERSONA: Paste your UFT persona (from Session 2)
          CONSTRAINT: A rule the AI must follow
        
Constraint examples: "Keep under 200 words" • "Warm tone, no jargon" • "Don't mention dues amounts — refer to 212-331-6300" • "End with a clear call-to-action"
① Add persona + constraint
② Run it
③ BONUS: Try in both AIs (+5 pts)
④ Paste FULL prompt + response to Padlet: NAME — Level 4
Constraint I used: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
🔑 Remember: Each level BUILDS on the last. Never start over — just add the new ingredient to your existing prompt.