---
title: Advanced Prompt Patterns: Techniques for Power Users
description: Move beyond basics with advanced prompting techniques. Prompt chaining, meta-prompting, structured outputs, and more for complex tasks.
date: January 20, 2026
author: Robert Soares
category: prompt-engineering
---

You've got the basics down. You know about [prompt anatomy](/posts/prompt-anatomy-parts-that-matter), [few-shot learning](/posts/zero-shot-vs-few-shot-prompting), and [chain-of-thought reasoning](/posts/chain-of-thought-prompting).

Now what?

Advanced patterns combine and extend these fundamentals for complex, high-value tasks. They're not tricks—they're systematic approaches that power users apply when basic prompting isn't enough.

[Research shows businesses using advanced prompt engineering see 60-70% efficiency gains](https://www.lakera.ai/blog/prompt-engineering-guide) in certain workflows. The investment pays off.

## Prompt Chaining

### What It Is

Prompt chaining breaks complex tasks into sequential prompts. Each prompt builds on the previous output. Instead of one massive prompt trying to do everything, you build toward the final result step by step.

### Why It Works

Complex tasks often exceed what a single prompt can handle well. The AI loses focus, misses requirements, or produces shallow output trying to address everything at once.

Chaining maintains quality at each step while building toward sophisticated final output.

### How to Use It

**Example: Writing a comprehensive blog post**

Instead of: "Write a 2,000-word blog post about email marketing trends for B2B SaaS companies"

Chain it:

**Prompt 1 (Research):**
> "What are the 5 most significant email marketing trends for B2B SaaS companies in 2026? For each, briefly explain why it matters."

**Prompt 2 (Outline):**
> "Based on these trends, create a blog post outline targeting marketing managers. Include an intro, sections for each trend with practical implications, and a conclusion. Target 2,000 words."

**Prompt 3 (Section drafts):**
> "Write the introduction and first section of this outline. [paste outline]"

**Prompt 4 (Continue):**
> "Continue with sections 2 and 3, maintaining the same tone and depth."

**Prompt 5 (Refinement):**
> "Review the complete draft. Identify weak transitions, missing examples, or sections that could be stronger. Then provide an improved version."

Each prompt is focused. Quality stays high throughout. You can course-correct at any step.

### When to Use It

- Complex outputs that have multiple components
- Tasks where early decisions affect later content
- Work that needs human review at checkpoints
- Anything you'd break into steps if doing manually

## Meta-Prompting

### What It Is

Meta-prompting uses AI to create, improve, or analyze prompts. You're prompting about prompting.

### Why It Works

AI understands language deeply. It can apply that understanding to optimize the very prompts you use. This creates a feedback loop where prompts get systematically better.

### How to Use It

**Creating prompts:**
> "I need to regularly generate product descriptions for our e-commerce site. Our products are [category]. Our voice is [description]. What's an effective prompt template I could use repeatedly?"

The AI drafts a prompt. You test it. You refine.

**Improving prompts:**
> "This prompt isn't giving me the results I want:
>
> [paste your prompt]
>
> The output is [describe the problem]. What's likely wrong with my prompt and how could I improve it?"

**Analyzing prompts:**
> "Look at this prompt that worked really well for me:
>
> [paste prompt]
>
> Why do you think it's effective? What principles is it using that I could apply elsewhere?"

### Meta-Prompt for Prompt Generation

A reliable meta-prompt pattern:

> "I need a prompt that will:
> - [accomplish specific goal]
> - [for this audience]
> - [with these constraints]
>
> The prompt will be used with [model]. It should be reusable for similar tasks.
>
> Create a prompt template with clear placeholders where I'll input specific details each time. Explain why you structured it this way."

## Structured Output Patterns

### What It Is

Specifying exact output structures: JSON, markdown, tables, specific formats. The AI fills in the structure rather than deciding structure itself.

### Why It Works

Structured outputs are:
- Easier to parse programmatically
- More consistent across runs
- Less prone to rambling or missing elements

### How to Use It

**JSON output:**

```
"Analyze this customer review and return a JSON object with:

  'sentiment': 'positive' | 'negative' | 'neutral',
  'key_topics': [array of main topics mentioned],
  'urgency': 'high' | 'medium' | 'low',
  'recommended_action': 'string describing next step',
  'confidence': number between 0 and 1

Review: [paste review]"
```

**Table output:**
> "Compare these three products and return a markdown table with columns: Feature | Product A | Product B | Product C | Winner
>
> Features to compare: [list features]
> Products: [describe products]"

**Templated output:**
> "Analyze this sales call transcript and fill in this template:
>
> ## Call Summary
> **Prospect:** [name and company]
> **Call Duration:** [estimate]
> **Outcome:** [positive/negative/unclear]
>
> ## Key Points Discussed
> - [point 1]
> - [point 2]
> - [point 3]
>
> ## Objections Raised
> [list any objections]
>
> ## Next Steps
> [what was agreed]
>
> ## Risk Factors
> [anything concerning about this deal]
>
> Transcript: [paste transcript]"

### Tips for Structured Output

- Be explicit about format
- Provide the exact structure you want
- Include examples of values (like `'positive' | 'negative'`)
- Test with edge cases to ensure the structure holds

## Self-Correction Patterns

### What It Is

Asking the AI to review and improve its own output. Built-in quality control.

### Why It Works

AI can catch issues in text it generates—inconsistencies, weak arguments, missing elements. Asking it to review activates this capability.

### How to Use It

**Review and revise:**
> [After getting initial output]
>
> "Review what you just wrote. Check for:
> - Factual claims that might be wrong
> - Logical inconsistencies
> - Missing perspectives
> - Weak arguments
>
> Then provide an improved version that addresses any issues found."

**Devil's advocate:**
> "Now argue against the position you just took. What are the strongest counterarguments? After presenting them, revise your original response to address these counterarguments."

**Completeness check:**
> "Review this output for completeness. What important aspects of [topic] did I fail to address? Add those to the response."

### Limitations

Self-correction has limits. The AI can't truly fact-check against external reality. It can improve internal consistency and completeness, but it might reinforce incorrect information.

For factual accuracy, external verification is still necessary.

## Recursive Refinement

### What It Is

Repeatedly improving output through structured passes. Each pass focuses on a different dimension of quality.

### How to Use It

**Pass 1 (Completeness):**
> "Does this cover all the key points about [topic]? What's missing? Add it."

**Pass 2 (Clarity):**
> "Now simplify the language. Make it readable for someone without technical background. Remove jargon."

**Pass 3 (Engagement):**
> "Add specific examples or anecdotes to illustrate abstract points. Make it more concrete."

**Pass 4 (Polish):**
> "Final polish. Improve transitions, vary sentence structure, ensure the opening and closing are strong."

Each pass has one focus. Quality improves incrementally without overwhelming any single prompt.

## Multi-Perspective Patterns

### What It Is

Getting the AI to consider multiple viewpoints before concluding. Reduces bias and blind spots.

### How to Use It

**Perspective exploration:**
> "I'm deciding whether to [decision]. Analyze this decision from three perspectives:
>
> 1. A risk-averse financial advisor
> 2. An aggressive growth-focused entrepreneur
> 3. A customer who would be affected
>
> After presenting each perspective, synthesize them into a balanced recommendation."

**Stakeholder analysis:**
> "This proposal will affect different groups differently. Analyze how each stakeholder would view it:
>
> - Employees
> - Customers
> - Investors
> - Competitors
>
> Identify where interests conflict and suggest how to address those conflicts."

**Debate format:**
> "Present arguments for and against [position]. Give each side its strongest case. Then, as a judge evaluating both arguments, determine which is more convincing and why."

## Model-Specific Patterns

Different models respond better to different approaches.

### Claude

[Claude responds well to semantic clarity and structured formatting](https://www.news.aakashg.com/p/prompt-engineering). XML-style tags help organize complex prompts:

```

Background information here

What I want you to do

- Constraint 1
- Constraint 2

Examples here

```

Claude tends to follow formatting cues carefully.

### GPT Models

[GPT generalizes well from short, structured prompts](https://www.news.aakashg.com/p/prompt-engineering). Numbered lists, hashtags, and consistent delimiters work well:

```
# Context
[background]

# Task
[what to do]

# Requirements
1. First requirement
2. Second requirement
3. Third requirement
```

### Gemini

[Gemini works well with hierarchical prompts](https://www.news.aakashg.com/p/prompt-engineering)—start broad, then get specific:

```
Overview: [big picture]

Details:
- First area: [specifics]
- Second area: [specifics]
- Third area: [specifics]

Final output format: [what you want]
```

## Combining Patterns

The most powerful prompting combines multiple patterns.

**Example: Complex analysis task**

Chain it:
1. Multi-perspective exploration of the issue
2. Structured output capturing key insights
3. Self-correction to check for gaps
4. Meta-prompt to summarize lessons learned

**Example: Content production workflow**

1. Chain: Research → Outline → Draft → Refine
2. Structured: Each stage outputs specific format
3. Self-correction: Built into the refine stage
4. Model-specific: Formatted for the model you're using

The patterns aren't isolated techniques. They're building blocks that combine based on what your task needs.

## When Advanced Patterns Are Worth It

Advanced patterns take more effort. They're not always necessary.

**Use advanced patterns when:**
- The task is complex with multiple components
- Quality matters significantly
- You'll use the approach repeatedly (investment pays off)
- Basic prompting isn't getting good enough results
- The output needs to meet specific standards

**Stick with basics when:**
- The task is simple and straightforward
- You're exploring or brainstorming
- Speed matters more than polish
- You'll heavily edit the output anyway

The goal is right-sizing your approach to the task. Advanced patterns for complex needs. Simple prompts for simple tasks.

## Building Your Advanced Toolkit

Start with one pattern at a time.

1. **Try prompt chaining** on your next complex task. Break it into steps instead of one prompt.

2. **Use meta-prompting** when a prompt isn't working. Ask the AI to help you fix it.

3. **Add self-correction** to tasks where quality matters. Build in a review step.

4. **Experiment with structured output** for anything you need to process programmatically.

5. **Test model-specific formatting** if you work with multiple models.

As each pattern becomes comfortable, combine them. Your prompting becomes more sophisticated naturally.

## Quick Reference

| Pattern | Use When | How |
|---------|----------|-----|
| Prompt chaining | Complex multi-part tasks | Break into sequential prompts |
| Meta-prompting | Need to create or improve prompts | Ask AI to help with prompts |
| Structured output | Need consistent, parseable results | Specify exact format wanted |
| Self-correction | Quality matters | Ask AI to review and improve |
| Recursive refinement | Need high polish | Multiple passes, one focus each |
| Multi-perspective | Decisions or analysis | Have AI consider multiple viewpoints |

The basics get you started. Advanced patterns get you to exceptional. Pick what fits your task, combine as needed, and keep refining your approach.