A simple prompt for storytelling

(Story – Audience – Reaction – Goal – Expectations)

The SARGE Prompt Template

This prompt shows how any story - whether it’s an investor pitch, a tricky email to employees, or even a best man’s speech - can be sharpened using the SARGE prompt.

Story

Every communication is a story. That means:

  • Narrative arc - beginning, middle, end

  • Actors - who is involved?

  • Conflict - what’s at stake or changing?

  • Emotion - what feeling do you want to carry through?

The Prompt: The story I am telling is about [situation]. The beginning is [setup]. The middle is [challenge]. The end is [resolution]. The main actors are [list]. The emotional tone is [emotion].

Audience

Stories land differently depending on who is listening. Audience is about:

  • Persona - role, worldview, pain points

  • Language - what resonates, what confuses

  • Attention span - 2 minutes or 20

Prompt: The audience is [persona details]. They care about [key drivers]. Their attention span is about [time]. The language I should use is [phrases, style].

Reaction

Every story triggers something. Reaction is about anticipating that.

  • Desired emotion - inspired, reassured, provoked

  • Likely pushback - questions, doubts, fears

  • Signals - how I know it is working

Prompt: I want my audience to feel [emotion]. They may push back on [concerns]. I will know it is landing if they [observable signals].

Goal

If the story is the vehicle, the goal is the destination.

  • Action - what do I want them to do?

  • Specificity - how clear is the ask?

  • Tiers - primary goal and secondary goal

Prompt: My goal is for the audience to [primary goal]. A secondary goal is [secondary outcome].

Expectations

Expectations shape how the story is received.

  • Context - what do they already believe?

  • Pre-frame - what are they expecting to hear?

  • Stretch - how can I exceed or shift that?

Prompt: The audience expects [assumption]. I will meet that by [confirmation]. I will surprise or stretch them by [twist or shift].

Creating the full SARGE Prompt

The story I am telling is about [situation]. The beginning is [setup]. The middle is [challenge]. The end is [resolution]. The main actors are [list]. The emotional tone is [emotion]. The audience is [persona details]. They care about [key drivers]. Their attention span is about [time]. The language I should use is [phrases, style]. I want my audience to feel [emotion]. They may push back on [concerns]. I will know it is landing if they [signals]. My goal is for the audience to [primary goal]. A secondary goal is [secondary outcome]. The audience expects [assumption]. I will meet that by [confirmation]. I will surprise or stretch them by [twist or shift].


Why this works

This prompt is an example I use in my new First Principles Prompting course. To get a deeper understanding of why this prompt works, and to get on the waitlist put your name down here.