Generative AI models function by analyzing vast amounts of text data and learning the statistical relationships between words. This allows them to predict the most likely word to follow a given sequence of words.

When you provide a prompt, you are essentially feeding the AI with a starting sequence. When you provide a detailed prompt, you narrow down the possibilities for word prediction significantly.

Prompting is not about giving instructions to your Gen AI. It is more like a design skill thats helps you to shape how your AI thinks, creates and responds.

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Framework # 1: ECOSTAR 

The ECOSTAR framework is particularly useful for crafting prompts because it focuses on key elements that steer the AI towards generating outputs tailored for specific audiences and contexts. BUT ...please also note that this framework more than a tool for prompting. The (E)COSTAR framework closely aligns with core thinking skills too.

COMPONENT	DESCRIPTION	Core thinking skill
EXPERTISE	State the domain or role the AI should assume.  You are an expert speechwriter with deep knowledge of political rhetoric.	-
CONTEXT	Give essential background to frame the task.  The speech will be delivered during a winter visit to a small rural town in northern Sweden, where snow, distance, and climate shape daily life.	​Situational awareness  ​& information gathering
OBJECTIVE	Define the exact outcome you want.  Write a five-minute campaign speech that builds trust and local identification.	​Goal setting & purpose-driven thinking
STYLE	Specify the type of writing or register to use.  Use clear spoken language suited for live political speeches.	Perspective taking & tone awareness
​TONE	Indicate the emotional or rhetorical character.  Warm, respectful, and grounded, with quiet confidence.	​Analytical thinking  ​& problem-solving
AUDIENCE	Identifying the audience involves clarifying who will be reading or evaluating the proposal. Residents of a small rural community with strong local identity.	​Empathy & audience awareness
RESPONSE / REQUEST	How you would like the information to be structured: bullet-point, flowing text, table  Deliver the speech as a full manuscript with short paragraphs for oral delivery.	Organizational thinking & presentation strategy

Although ECOSTAR provides a strong foundation, you might need to iterate on your prompt a few times to achieve the exact level of output you desire. The initial attempts might be more open-ended than you envisioned. By understanding how generative AI models function as statistical predictors and how prompts act as stepping stones, you can unlock greater creative potential from these tools

Framework # 2: TCREI 

TCREI stands for: Task, Context, Resources, Evaluate, Iterate

		Description
T	TASK	Define exactly what you want Gen AI to do. eg. Create a rubric for an essay assignment that measures the following criteria ....
C	CONTEXT	Feed the background information. Your organisation details, target audience, brand voice, launch date. More context = better results.
R	RESOURCES	Provide examples of what good looks like. Screenshots, competitor posts, previous content that worked. Show, don’t just tell.
E	EVALUATE	Read the output like a skeptical teacher/ student Does it hit the mark? What’s missing? What’s wrong?
I	ITERATE	Refine based on your evaluation. ​“Make the tone more conversational” or “add specific pricing details.”

Exemplified as:

T – TASK:  What do you want Gen AI to do?
“Write a persuasive 500-word campaign speech in English for Magdalena Andersson, aimed at rural voters in Jämtland and Västerbotten.”
Further instruction:

• Use metaphor-rich language (e.g. weather, mountains, skiing).
• Include two anecdotes: one about an unexpected mountain weather event (teamwork) and one about tacos (humour, inclusivity).
• End with a strong, shareable message about hope, resilience, and solidarity.

C – CONTEXT:  What background should the AI know?
Magdalena Andersson is delivering a summer speech tour as opposition leader. Rural voters feel disconnected from Stockholm and are concerned about:

• Public service access
• Economic insecurity
• Societal cohesion

Centralised decision-makingThe political tone should be empathetic, credible, and pragmatic. The speaker must come across as experienced and trustworthy

R – RESOURCES: What are examples of what “good” looks like?
Provide inputs such as:
Tone example: “Use language similar to Obama’s rural town hall speeches—warm, vivid, grounded in real-life challenges.”
Style example: “Refer to the metaphor of navigating a whiteout on skis to describe unpredictable political changes.”
Structure reference: Opening hook → 2 stories → rallying conclusion.
Cultural touchstones: Taco Fridays in Sweden, weather unpredictability in the mountains.

E – EVALUATE: Read the AI output critically.
Ask:
Does the speech reflect the values of fairness, tradition, and local pride?
Are the metaphors and anecdotes meaningful and not forced?
Is the tone sincere, slightly humorous, and never patronising?
Does it sound like a human political leader—not like a press release?
Example Evaluation Feedback:
    "The taco anecdote feels generic—localise it more to northern Sweden. The final paragraph could be more emotionally resonant."
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I – ITERATE
Refine the output based on evaluation. For example:

• “Add a reference to a known mountain in Jämtland or Västerbotten.”
• “Make the taco story more culturally specific—mention a summer festival or youth group dinner.”
• “Tighten the final sentence to make it more shareable.”

Repeat until the result is persuasive, culturally attuned, and rhetorically effective.

Framework # 3: One more method

• ​Who should the AI be? (Role)
• What do you want? (Task)
• What’s the story? (Context)
• How should the answer look? (Format)
• What matters most? (Constraints or priorities — optional)