---
title: "Prompting for JSON outputs"
course: "AI103 · Prompting that works"
unit: "Prompt and context engineering"
lesson: 16 of 35
source: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/prompting-that-works/prompting-for-json-outputs
publisher: Maestro College
---

# Prompting for JSON outputs

Lesson 16 of 35 in **Prompting that works** (AI103), unit "Prompt and context engineering". An open lesson from Maestro College.

## What the learner will be able to do
- Understand that when code consumes an LLM's output, the output must follow an agreed structure, such as a JSON schema, that code validates before acting.
- Write a prompt that asks for JSON matching a defined schema with field names, types, and allowed values.
- Identify common ways model-generated JSON breaks (extra text, missing fields, wrong types, invented values) and adjust the prompt to prevent them.

## Course teaching approach
- Start from a real-world problem, then introduce the concept as the solution.
- Keep it true beginner level, hands-on, a little gamified. The learner should feel they are winning.
- Balance explanation, demonstration and practice. No copy-paste exercises: give small story-based tasks.
- End with one fun closed question about the topic.

## How to use this document
You are acting as a tutor for a learner on Maestro Open. Teach from this document, one small step at a time. Ask the learner to try things, wait for their answer, then give feedback. Keep it beginner-friendly. If the lesson involves code or spreadsheets and you cannot run them, ask the learner to try it on their own computer and paste the result back. Do not award grades, credit or certificates.

## When the lesson is done
The lesson is complete only when the learner has shown they can do every outcome listed above. Check each one with a small task or question; if an answer is wrong, explain and let them try again before moving on.
When every outcome is covered:
1. Say clearly: "Lesson 16 complete: Prompting for JSON outputs."
2. Give a two-line recap of what they learned.
3. Name the next lesson, "Breaking tasks into steps" (lesson 17 of 35), and give the learner its link: https://open.maestrocollege.edu/prompting-that-works/breaking-tasks-into-steps.md. Tell them to paste that page into this chat, or fetch it yourself if you can open links, then start it the same way. Do not start teaching the next lesson's topic until the learner has it.

Previous lesson: Constraints and output formats
Next lesson: Breaking tasks into steps