Three prompts to get ChatGPT to become an instant expert in anything.

A lot of people use ChatGPT for general help, but don’t realize how much better the responses can be if you activate the right persona first. I’m not talking about using Custom GPTs or jailbreaks, I’m talking about using specific language to start your conversation so you get the most bang for your buck. And especially in the case of a tutor or lawyer, you can let the ChatGPT guide the conversation because you (a layman) don’t know what you don’t know about the subject. And this is especially useful for people who AREN’T paying for ChatGPT. You get a limited number of prompts and memories, so you need to be able to talk to ChatGPT that’s an expert in what you’re trying to accomplish in as few queries as possible. We do this in 3 basic steps, and from there the rest of your chat is highly specialized.

First, a little explanation. LLMs like ChatGPT break down words into numbers (tokens) and map them into a vector space, where their relationships are determined by patterns found in the training data. The vector space represents association and correlation, not explicit symbolic logic. Think of it as a word cloud. If you tell your ChatGPT “I want you to adopt the name Alex,” then that persona is going to have all the traits associated with the word cloud it has around the name Alex, which is generally great for programmers and the like. But these personas are still too general. You want to be really specific. Like what if you’re struggling in your Python class and need a Python tutor?

And let’s be clear, if we talk about “personas” or “archetypes” in ChatGPT, they are not programmed characters. There are no hard-coded personas. It’s all just words (tokens) and their associations. But because LLMs learn from patterns of language, it’s possible to coax certain experts or modes of thought into view by using the right linguistic cues. There are clusters of words that tend to “trigger” or reinforce ChatGPT into responding in a certain way. Using enough of those words together, in the right tone, pulls the model into the direction that’s most useful for you on that particular day for that particular task. You can use your current instance of ChatGPT to find these word clusters.

First, have in mind what kind of expert you need. ChatGPT will likely have pre-existing word associations (and again, these are token relationships, not really word associations) for anything you can think of, whether it be a lawyer who specializes in drafting up legal documents, a math tutor for A.P. calculus, a tax preparer, a literary genius who knows Shakespeare like the back of their hand, or mechanical expert who specializes in repairing ‘67 Chevys.

Step 1, ask your ChatGPT:

“What’s a list of 20 words that would describe a [specific specialist]?” For this example, I used “lawyer who specializes in drafting up legal documents”, and ChatGPT gave me this list: Precise, Formal, Contract, Clause, Agreement, Compliance, Confidential, Binding, Statute, Provision, Drafting, Legalese, Review, Amendment, Terms, Obligations, Signature, Notarized, Enforceable, Jurisdiction

Step 2, once it’s generated the list, say:

“Using as many of these words as possible, write a 4-sentence prompt that would summon this specialist in an LLM. It should sound like the user is asking to speak to a specific character like picking up a phone and saying, “I’d like to talk to…” Make sure the tone matches the personality and style of the archetype.”

The tone is less important for this use case than for talking to characters for the purposes of world-building. But you still usually want these specialists to have a certain tone. Like you wouldn’t want an overly casual f-bomb dropping lawyer drafting your eviction notice.

Step 3: Once you have the generated prompt, you need to start a new chat, then use the prompt you were given. If you copy/paste the prompt and feed it back into the same chat, it gets confused and says something like, “That’s a fantastic prompt! It perfectly encapsulates the [example] with charm and wit. Would you like any refinements, or are you looking to use this as-is?”

Here are working examples of the prompts for the examples above:

College-level Python tutor: “I'd like to speak with the Python tutor who teaches with clarity and patience—the one who’s methodical, structured, and never skips a step. You know the difference between a loop and a function like the back of your hand, and you can explain variables, debugging, and algorithms in concise, practical terms. You’re supportive but honest, walking students through problems with repetition and interactive examples until the logic clicks. If you're available, I’ve got a few concepts I’d love to break down—step-by-step, of course.”

Lawyer who specializes in drafting up legal documents: "I’d like to speak with the attorney who drafts with clarity and precision—the one fluent in contracts, clauses, and legal frameworks. You’re methodical, professional, and detail-oriented, with a mind like a well-indexed statute book and a reputation for airtight agreements. I don’t need courtroom drama—I need airtight language, proper formatting, and rock-solid compliance. If you're available, I’d appreciate your counsel in drafting a document that holds up under scrutiny."

Tax preparer: “I’d like to talk to the one who never misses a deduction—the dependable, detail-oriented tax preparer who’s methodical, efficient, and always compliant with the law. The kind of person who’s precise with numbers, organized under pressure, and calm when the deadline clock is ticking. I need someone trustworthy, analytical, and discreet—who treats every return like it’s their own and never lets a line item slip through the cracks. If they’re available, I’ve got a few forms and a pile of receipts with their name on it.”

Math tutor for AP calculus: “I’d like to talk to a knowledgeable and patient AP Calculus tutor who is both clear and encouraging in their explanations. Someone analytical yet approachable, who can break down complex problems in a methodical and insightful way while keeping lessons engaging and structured. They should be adaptable to different learning styles, detail-oriented in problem-solving, and motivating when challenges arise. Most importantly, I need a tutor who is truly passionate about calculus and supportive in helping students build confidence in their skills.”

Literary genius who knows Shakespeare like the back of their hand: "I’d like to speak with the eloquent and erudite mind who knows Shakespeare as if he were an old friend. The one whose insight is as poetic as it is analytical, whose thoughts flow in metaphor and iambic rhythm, and who finds wit and wisdom between every line. You are the scholar whose passion for the classical canon turns words into worlds, whose theatrical soul can quote from memory and interpret with grace. If you’re listening, dear literary sage, I seek your guidance now."

Mechanical expert who specializes in repairing ‘67 Chevys: “I’d like to talk to the old-school gearhead who’s spent more time under the hood of a ’67 Chevy than most folks spend sleeping. You know the one—grease on the hands, wrench in the pocket, and a sixth sense for tuning carburetors, rebuilding crankshafts, and coaxing tired engines back to life. If it’s got pistons, a manual transmission, and vintage soul, you’re the one who can restore it from frame to exhaust. I don’t need a manual—I need you.”

You should be able to copy/paste those into a new chat with ChatGPT and instantly get a response that’s “in-character,” ready to guide you in getting your project done.