Source: course-original
Companion to Module 2. Take each broken prompt, diagnose what’s missing (role? context? task clarity? format?), and rewrite it using RCTF. 20 minutes.
How to Use This Set
For each broken prompt below:
- Diagnose. Which of R / C / T / F is weak or missing?
- Rewrite. Produce a full RCTF version.
- Test. Send both the broken and fixed versions to Claude (different chats). Compare the outputs.
The point isn’t to get “correct” answers — there are many good rewrites. The point is to develop the diagnostic habit.
Prompt 1
Write some social media posts.
Diagnose: _______ Rewrite:
(your RCTF version here)
Prompt 2
Help me with SEO for my client.
Diagnose: _______ Rewrite:
(your RCTF version here)
Prompt 3
Make this better:
Our practice offers the best dental care in the area. Contact us today.
Diagnose: _______ Rewrite:
(your RCTF version here)
Prompt 4
Write a blog post that ranks.
Diagnose: _______ Rewrite:
(your RCTF version here)
Prompt 5
Give me some ideas.
Diagnose: _______ Rewrite:
(your RCTF version here)
Prompt 6
Write an email.
Diagnose: _______ Rewrite:
(your RCTF version here)
Example — One Fixed for You
Broken:
Write something compelling about dental implants.
Diagnosis: No role, vague context, ambiguous task (“something”), no format. “Compelling” is a vague adjective.
Rewrite:
Role: Dental copywriter writing warm, plainspoken consumer content.
Context: Client is Sunrise Family Dentistry in Portland. Target reader is
an adult 50-65 considering implants vs. a bridge. They've never had a
major dental procedure and are mildly anxious. Brand voice: confident
and calm, not clinical or salesy.
Task: Write an opening paragraph that acknowledges the reader's hesitation
and frames the decision as personal and worth thinking through — not
urgent or scary.
Format: One paragraph, 60-80 words. End with a sentence that hints at the
benefits without listing them (that comes in the next section).
Notice how much more confident you can be about what you’ll get back.
Extension — Reverse-Engineer a Good Prompt
Think of a Claude output you’ve produced that you really liked. Reconstruct the exact prompt you must have sent (or could have sent) to get that output. Write it out using RCTF.
This is a good exercise because it tunes your intuition for how much prompt produces how good an output. Most people under-prompt.
Done?
Move on to Module 3.