Roles, tone and constraints
Tell the AI what role to take, how to sound, and what rules to follow. It is like briefing a helper before a job.
In 60 seconds
Roles, tone and constraints
Tell the AI what role to take, how to sound, and what rules to follow. It is like briefing a helper before a job.
| Tool | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Sets the viewpoint and the kind of knowledge to focus on | "Act as a patient maths tutor" |
| Tone | Sets the feeling of the words | "warm and respectful", "formal", "cheerful" |
| Constraints | Sets clear rules and limits | "no jargon", "only use the text below", "don't give the answer, give hints" |
Before and after
Explain fractions.Act as a patient maths tutor for a Class 5 student.
Tone: encouraging and simple.
Rules:
- Use an example with rotis or a pizza.
- Do not give the final answer to any question I ask; give hints.
- Keep each reply under 80 words.
Start by asking me one question to check what I already know.A role is not real expertise
Useful constraints
- "Use only the information in the text below. If it's not there, say 'not in the text'."
- "If you are not sure, say so."
- "Use simple words a 12-year-old understands."
- "Don't use bullet points; write it as a message."
- "Give three options, each with one pro and one con."
- "Be professional but also fun and casual and short but detailed"
- "Don't be boring"
- Rules hidden in the middle of a long paragraph
- "Friendly but respectful; under 100 words"
- "Use one real-life example and a short question at the end"
- Rules as a short list after the task
Watch and read more
Lab
A reusable tutor or coach prompt with a role, tone and rules.
The problem
Design a prompt that turns a chatbot into a helper for something you want to learn or practise (a subject, English speaking, interviews, a skill at work).
- Write the role, the tone, and 3–5 rules.
- Start a conversation and use it for at least 5 exchanges.
- Note where the AI followed or broke each rule.
- Improve your prompt once, and test again.
You are done when
Hard questions
Try to answer before you reveal. If you can answer these, you understood the lesson.
Q1Why does a model sometimes forget its role in a long conversation?Reveal
A model has a limited context window, and later messages can push earlier instructions out or make them less influential. New messages may also pull the conversation in a different direction. Repeating the key role and rules, or starting a fresh chat with a clear setup, helps.
Q2Why is "Only use the text below; if it's not there, say so" useful for checking answers?Reveal
It ties the answer to a source you can see. You can check each claim against the text. Allowing "not in the text" gives the model a safe way out instead of inventing an answer. It doesn't guarantee accuracy, but it makes mistakes much easier to catch.
Questions people ask
Does a role make the answer more accurate?
It can help the model focus on the right kind of information and language. It does not guarantee accuracy. Always check important facts.
What if the AI breaks my rules?
Remind it clearly: "You used difficult words. Please rewrite using simple words only." Putting rules in a short list and keeping them few also helps.
Can I set a role for the whole conversation?
Usually yes; say it at the start. Some apps also have a place for custom instructions that apply to every chat. In long chats, the model may drift, so repeat the role if needed.
Why won't the AI take some roles?
Chatbots have safety rules. They may refuse roles meant to cause harm, trick people, or pretend to be a real person. That is by design.
Lesson test
5 questions. Get 3 right (60%) to pass and complete this lesson.