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You’ve learned individual prompt techniques—now it’s time to combine them for bigger tasks. Think of this as upgrading from simple requests to detailed work instructions.

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What Makes a Prompt “Complex”?

A complex prompt combines the techniques you’ve learned:
  • Role prompting - Tell AI what expert to be
  • Step-by-step thinking - Guide AI through your process
  • Clear formatting - Specify exactly how you want the output
  • Good organization - Separate your instructions from your content
Complex prompts are like detailed work orders—they give AI everything needed to deliver exactly what you want.

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The RISE Framework

Use this simple framework to build any complex prompt: Role - Who should AI be? Pick a specific expert role that matches your task. Instead of generic “help me,” choose “marketing manager,” “financial analyst,” or “project coordinator.” Instructions - What exactly should AI do? Break your request into clear steps. Use “First… Then… Finally…” to guide AI’s thinking process. Source - What information should AI use? Tell AI exactly what documents, data, or context to work with. Expectations - How should the output look? Specify format, length, tone, and structure. Be as detailed as a work order.

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Real Example: Turning Simple into Complex

Simple prompt (basic):
“Summarize this quarterly report”
Complex prompt using RISE: 
**Role:** You are a business analyst preparing a summary for senior management.

**Instructions:** Analyze the attached quarterly report and create an executive summary. Work through this step by step:
1. First, pull out the key numbers and trends
2. Then, identify what's working well and what isn't  
3. Finally, highlight the top 3 issues that need management attention

**Source:** Use only the attached quarterly report. If something isn't clear, mention that you need more information.

**Expectations:** Format as a professional memo with:
- Key Results (3-4 main points)
- What's Going Well (brief list)
- Areas of Concern (ranked by importance)
- Next Steps Needed

Keep it professional but easy to read. Aim for one page.
See the difference? The complex version tells AI exactly who to be, how to think, what to use, and how to respond.

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Your Template for Any Complex Prompt

Copy and adapt this template for your own tasks: 
**Role:** You are a [specific job title] working on [specific area].

**Instructions:** [Your main request] by following these steps:
1. First, [what to do first]
2. Then, [what to do second]
3. Finally, [what to do last]

**Source:** Use [your documents/information]. [Any special notes about what to include or avoid]

**Expectations:** 
- Format: [how you want it structured]
- Length: [how long it should be]
- Tone: [professional level]
- Include: [specific sections you need]
Start with tasks you know well—it’s easier to guide AI when you understand the work yourself.

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Choosing Between Simple and Complex Prompts

Simple Prompts Work Best For

• Quick information needs
• Straightforward tasks
• Casual idea exploration

Complex Prompts Work Best For

• Work deliverables
• Analysis tasks
• Creative projects with specific requirements
• Tasks you’ll repeat often
Remember: The goal isn’t to make prompts complicated. It’s to make them complete enough that AI can deliver exactly what you need the first time.
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