AI is transforming how we work, think, and create—but here’s the catch: the output is only as good as your input. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are powerful, but to fully unlock their capabilities, you need to know how to communicate with them effectively.
This is where prompting techniques come into play. Prompts are not just questions—they are strategic instructions that shape the AI’s thinking, tone, and depth of response. The way you structure your prompt can make the difference between a generic reply and a game-changing insight.
Whether you’re a startup founder creating product messaging, a marketer outlining a campaign, or a student solving complex problems, learning how to prompt is essential to working with AI—not against it.
In this article, we’ll break down four of the most effective prompting techniques used by advanced AI practitioners:
- Chain of Thought (C‑O‑T)
- Role / Input / Step / Outcome (R‑I‑S‑E)
- Context / Action / Reason / Example (C‑A‑R‑E)
- Task / Action / Goal (T‑A‑G)
Each has a specific purpose, and once you understand when and how to use them, you’ll be able to consistently produce better, more relevant results from AI.
Table of Contents
1. Chain of Thought (C‑O‑T)
Think like a human. Prompt like a guide.
What it does:
Chain of Thought prompting asks the AI to simulate human reasoning by breaking down a problem into a logical sequence of steps. Rather than jumping straight to a conclusion, it “thinks out loud.”
Why it works:
Many tasks—especially those involving logic, math, or decision-making—require intermediate steps. By prompting the AI to go step-by-step, you reduce the chances of error and reveal the rationale behind its conclusions. This technique is especially useful when accuracy and transparency matter.
How to use it:
- Ask the model to “reason step by step.”
- Outline logical sequences or intermediate calculations.
- Encourage a structured answer, similar to showing your work on paper.
Use cases:
- Math problems and word problems
- Decision trees or product comparisons
- Debugging processes
- Step-by-step explanations for educational content
Example Prompt:
“Solve this problem step by step: A cake is divided into 8 slices. Mary eats 2, then Paul eats 3. How many slices are left?”
AI Output:
Mary ate 2 slices and Paul ate 3, so 2 + 3 = 5 slices eaten.
Total slices = 8.
8 – 5 = 3 slices remaining.
Answer: 3 slices are left.
2. R‑I‑S‑E → Role / Input / Step / Outcome
Design prompts with structure and purpose.
What it does:
The R-I-S-E framework helps you design strategic prompts by assigning a role to the AI, providing input, outlining a step-by-step approach, and stating your desired output.
Why it works:
This method is like creating a mini project brief for the AI. By being clear about context, process, and result, you eliminate ambiguity and focus the model’s output around actionable insights.
How to use it:
- Define who or what the AI is (e.g., consultant, project manager, UX designer).
- Share relevant background or context.
- Outline a sequence of actions the AI should perform.
- Specify the end goal or type of response desired.
Use cases:
- Strategic planning
- Business frameworks
- Marketing campaigns
- Workshop preparation
- Process optimization
Example Prompt:
Role: Marketing consultant
Input: A company wants to launch a new eco-friendly product
Steps:
- Define the target market
- Identify the best marketing channels
- Outline a communication plan
- Set a launch budget
Outcome: A complete marketing plan ready to pitch
3. C‑A‑R‑E → Context / Action / Reason / Example
Add clarity, depth, and persuasion to AI content.
What it does:
CARE-based prompting is ideal when you’re asking the AI to create content that’s informative and convincing. It ensures the output is grounded in a situation, backed by logic, and illustrated with a real-world example.
Why it works:
Humans relate to stories and rationale. By guiding the AI to present both the “why” and a tangible illustration of the idea, you get responses that are more engaging and credible.
How to use it:
- Provide the background or current scenario.
- Specify what you want the AI to do.
- Clarify why the action is important.
- Ask for a real-world or hypothetical example.
Use cases:
- Blog writing and thought leadership
- Business storytelling
- Sales enablement materials
- Educational writing
- Policy explanations
Example Prompt:
Context: We’re writing a blog on sustainable business practices
Action: Write a paragraph explaining why companies should adopt sustainability
Reason: Emphasize both environmental and business advantages
Example: Provide a case study of a brand that benefited from going green
4. T‑A‑G → Task / Action / Goal
Simple. Fast. Effective.
What it does:
TAG is a quick, no-frills framework for straightforward tasks. It’s all about clarity: what you want done, how to do it, and why.
Why it works:
Great for small tasks or when speed is essential, this method keeps your prompt lean while still giving the AI enough guidance to deliver useful results.
How to use it:
- Clearly name the task.
- Define the action to take.
- Describe the intended result or benefit.
Use cases:
- Social media posts
- Headlines or taglines
- Basic copywriting
- Email writing
- Simple summaries or reminders
Example Prompt:
Task: Write a social media post
Action: Announce the launch of a new product
Goal: Build excitement and encourage pre-orders
Choosing the Right Prompting Technique: Quick Comparison
| Technique | Best For | Strength |
| C‑O‑T | Logical thinking, analysis, math, problem solving | Transparent reasoning |
| R‑I‑S‑E | Strategic planning, business development | Structured outputs |
| C‑A‑R‑E | Content creation, education, persuasion | Depth and clarity |
| T‑A‑G | Short-form content, quick requests | Simplicity and speed |
Final Thoughts: Prompting is a Strategic Skill
AI doesn’t just respond—it reflects the structure and clarity of your input. With structured prompting, you can transform a generic assistant into a true thinking partner.
These techniques—Chain of Thought, RISE, CARE, and TAG—equip you to generate more accurate, useful, and professional responses from any AI platform. Whether you’re solving problems, planning your go-to-market strategy, or crafting customer messaging, mastering prompts is your secret weapon for productivity and innovation.
Ready to Turn Prompting into Real-World Results?
At M Accelerator, we help startup founders move from ideas to execution—faster and smarter. In our Elite Founders, you’ll not only learn how to apply AI frameworks like the ones in this article, but also how to build systems that scale your operations, communications, and customer acquisition.
Join our Founders Meeting and gain access to expert mentoring, startup workshops, and a collaborative network of entrepreneurs focused on innovation and growth. Learn how to leverage AI—not just as a tool, but as a competitive advantage.