# Build a taxonomy of a subject or field

A clear hierarchy of fields, subfields, and topics with definitions and cross-links, for study, research, tagging, or course design.

- Topic: Research & Summaries
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Analyze, Plan, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/build-a-taxonomy-of-a-subject-or-field

## Prompt

```text
Build a taxonomy of a subject for me.

**Subject or field:** [e.g. "machine learning", "public health", "contract law"]
**What I'll use it for:** [e.g. "structuring a course", "tagging a content library", "mapping a literature review", "my own study plan"]
**Depth needed:** [e.g. "3 levels", "down to individual topics"]
**Scope limits:** [anything to include or exclude]
**Existing scheme to align with, if any:** [e.g. "ACM Computing Classification", "our current tags"]

Rules for a good taxonomy:
- Each level uses one consistent organizing principle (e.g. by method, by application, by object of study) - say which one you chose and why.
- Categories at the same level should not overlap; where real overlap exists, list it as a cross-link instead of duplicating the item.
- Use names that practitioners actually use, and note common synonyms.
- Keep sibling categories roughly comparable in breadth.

Return:
1. The hierarchy as a nested outline (Field > Subfield > Topic > Subtopic), with a one-line definition for each item at the top two levels.
2. A cross-links list: items that belong to more than one branch, and interdisciplinary connections.
3. Where the field is contested or changing fast, a short note on alternative ways it is divided.
4. The same taxonomy as a flat table (ID | Name | Parent | Level | Synonyms) I can paste into a spreadsheet.

If the subject is too broad for the depth I asked, tell me and propose where to split it.
```

## What to fill in

- e.g. "machine learning", "public health", "contract law"
- e.g. "3 levels", "down to individual topics"
- anything to include or exclude
- e.g. "ACM Computing Classification", "our current tags"

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.