Prompting with Microsoft Copilot

Working with Microsoft Copilot

Susanth Sutheesh

Copilot Solution Engineer, Microsoft

A single card labelled VAGUE reading "Make me a deck", with the note that Copilot has to stop and ask what, who and how long

Working with Microsoft Copilot

 

A scattered pile of unfocused slides tagged "20 slides, no focus", representing the overwhelming output a vague request produces

Working with Microsoft Copilot

Why prompt engineering matters

 

 

Vague prompt:

"Can you put together a presentation?"

Copilot has to stop and ask: What topic? Which audience? How long?

 

 

Clear, specific prompt:

"Create a 5-slide deck on why prompt engineering matters, with 2-3 bullets per slide, in beginner-friendly language"

Result: a usable draft on the first try

Working with Microsoft Copilot

The GCSE Framework

The four letters G, C, S and E of the GCSE prompting framework

 

  • Goal
  • Context
  • Source
  • Expectation
Working with Microsoft Copilot

Goal

The Goal tile from the GCSE framework with a short example prompt

 

  • Lead with a verb
  • Name what you want produced
Working with Microsoft Copilot

Context

The Context tile from the GCSE framework with a short example prompt

 

  • The background Copilot can't infer
  • Who it's for, and what it must cover
Working with Microsoft Copilot

Source

The Source tile from the GCSE framework with a short example prompt

 

  • Point to the exact file
  • A vague source makes Copilot go searching
Working with Microsoft Copilot

Expectation

The Expectation tile from the GCSE framework with a short example prompt

 

  • Format, length and tone
  • Makes the answer usable as it is
Working with Microsoft Copilot

The GCSE Framework

The four GCSE letters - Goal, Context, Source, Expectation - spelled out as a stacked checklist

 

  • Run through all four before you write a prompt
  • Works with any AI assistant, not just Copilot
Working with Microsoft Copilot

Putting it all together

 

One prompt, all four parts:

"Summarize the key points from our Q2 sales strategy - it covers April to June, across online ads, retail promotions and social campaigns."

Goal + Context

Working with Microsoft Copilot

Putting it all together

 

One prompt, all four parts:

"Summarize the key points from our Q2 sales strategy - it covers April to June, across online ads, retail promotions and social campaigns."

Goal + Context

"Use the attached Q2_Sales_Strategy.docx. Give me four short bullet points in a professional tone."

Source + Expectation

Working with Microsoft Copilot

Let's practice!

Working with Microsoft Copilot

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