Gemini Models Prompt Guide

When you write a prompt for Gemini, think in terms of P-T-C-F: Persona, Task, Context, Format.

1. Persona (the role you’re giving Gemini)

  • This is how you want Gemini to “think” or “act.”

  • Example: “You are a program manager in the healthcare industry…”

  • Why: Giving Gemini a role makes the output more tailored and realistic.

2. Task (the specific action you want)

  • Use a verb (summarize, draft, create, compare, rewrite).

  • Example: “Draft an executive summary email…”

  • Why: Clear actions produce more useful results.

3. Context (the background Gemini needs)

  • Tell Gemini why you’re asking and where the result will be used.

  • Example: “…for an upcoming board presentation based on @[Project Roadmap Doc].”

  • Why: Context ensures Gemini’s answer fits your actual need.

4. Format (how the output should look)

  • Define the structure: bullets, table, paragraph, JSON, slides.

  • Example: “Limit to 5 bullet points under 20 words each.”

  • Why: Format instructions prevent messy or overly long outputs.


Quick Tips

  • Use natural language. Write as if you’re talking to a colleague.

  • Be specific. More detail → better output.

  • Keep it concise. Average effective prompts are ~21 words.

  • Iterate. If the first result isn’t perfect, refine and add details.

  • Ground in your files. Use @filename to pull data directly from your Drive.

  • Power prompts. In Gemini Advanced, start with: “Make this a power prompt: …” to let Gemini rewrite your prompt for clarity.

  • Review everything. Gemini can make mistakes — always check for clarity, accuracy, and tone before sharing


Ready-to-Use Templates

Task-Oriented

Persona: You are [role]. Task: [Verb + action, e.g., Summarize, Draft, Create]. Context: This will be used for [audience/use case]. Reference @[File] if needed. Format: Return [bullets/table/paragraph/code] with [limits].

Example:

Persona: You are a project manager. Task: Summarize this meeting transcript. Context: This will go into an executive briefing. Focus on decisions and next steps. Format: 5 bullet points, max 15 words each.

Learn more about Gemini Prompt Engineering in Google’s Prompting Guide 101

Last updated