The Basics | Prompt Power

Thoughtful prompting is at the heart of effective communication, particularly when interacting with AI language models, like GPT-4. This is because the output quality is intrinsically tied to the specificity and clarity of the input. The more accurately and clearly you define your needs, the more effectively the AI can generate responses that meet them. Each prompt serves as a unique blueprint for the AI, directing its algorithm to pull from specific aspects of its training data and apply them in the most relevant way possible. Without a clear, thoughtful prompt, the AI's response may not be as helpful, precise, or contextually appropriate as desired. In essence, the art of prompting is akin to honing a tool: the sharper the prompt, the more precise and relevant the output. Hence, good prompting is not just a skill to be desired but an essential practice to ensure the best interaction with AI systems. Here are 25 tips and examples for generating useful prompts with a language model like ChatGPT.

  1. Be clear and concise: Instead of "I need some info on something," you could say, "Can you provide information about the French Revolution?"

  2. Specify the format you want the answer in: "Please list the key events in the French Revolution in chronological order."

  3. Use leading questions: If you want a detailed response, ask a question like "Can you provide an in-depth analysis of the key causes of the French Revolution?"

  4. Directly ask for the kind of creativity you want: "Can you write a short story about a robot discovering its emotions?"

  5. Use hypotheticals for exploring situations or moral dilemmas: "What if humans could communicate telepathically? What might be the social and ethical implications?"

  6. Request step-by-step guides for clarity on processes: "Can you provide a step-by-step guide on how to make homemade pizza?"

  7. Ask for comparisons to gain better understanding: "Can you compare and contrast the philosophies of Aristotle and Plato?"

  8. Use the 'think-aloud protocol' for complex subjects: "If you were to solve a Rubik's cube, what steps would you take and why?"

  9. Request the AI to role-play: "Imagine you are an HR manager. How would you handle an employee who frequently comes late?"

  10. Invite the AI to speculate: "What might happen to Earth's climate if all human activity ceased for a year?"

  11. Ask for evaluations or criticisms: "What are some criticisms of utilitarianism as a moral philosophy?"

  12. Ask for explanations in simpler terms or in different ways: "Can you explain the concept of quantum entanglement in layman's terms?"

  13. Prompt it to generate ideas: "Can you provide some unique fundraising ideas for a local animal shelter?"

  14. Ask for recommendations: "Can you recommend some sci-fi books that deal with the theme of time travel?"

  15. Get help brainstorming: "I'm writing a speech on the importance of community service. Can you help me brainstorm some main points?"

  16. Instruct it to translate complex ideas into analogies: "Could you provide an analogy for how a computer's CPU works?"

  17. Ask for pros and cons: "Can you list the pros and cons of using solar energy?"

  18. Ask for a summary: "Could you provide a summary of the book '1984' by George Orwell?"

  19. Request for fact-checking: "Is it true that a day on Venus is longer than a year?"

  20. Inquire about historical events: "What was the impact of the industrial revolution on Europe?"

  21. Discuss contemporary issues: "What are the key debates surrounding climate change?"

  22. Ask for personal advice: "What are some effective strategies for managing time effectively?"

  23. Discuss hypothetical scenarios: "What would be the potential consequences if we discovered intelligent extraterrestrial life?"

  24. Debate pros and cons: "Can you argue for and against the implementation of universal basic income?"

  25. Ask for definitions or explanations of specific terms: "Can you explain what blockchain technology is?"