Prompt writing best practices

Mar '23 • Writing

I am interested in developing my skills in prompt engineering - how to write prompts to get the best results. So being very meta I asked ChatGPT: What are some best practice principles in writing a good prompt? Got a pretty good response …🤔

Response:

Writing a good prompt is essential for obtaining useful and targeted responses, especially when working with AI language models. Here are some best practice principles to follow when crafting a prompt:

1. Be clear and concise: Use simple language and avoid ambiguity. Make your prompt easy to understand by stating your question or statement directly.

2. Provide context: Give enough background information to help the AI understand the context of your query. This enables the model to generate more accurate and relevant responses.

3. Be specific: Clearly define your requirements, such as the format or type of answer you're looking for. This helps guide the AI in generating the most appropriate response.

4. Ask open-ended questions: Avoid yes or no questions, and instead ask open-ended questions that encourage detailed and informative answers.

5. Use appropriate tone and style: Consider the formality and tone of your prompt to ensure it aligns with the desired output. For example, use a formal tone for professional requests and a casual tone for more relaxed conversations.

6. Avoid leading or biased questions: Craft your prompt in a neutral way to prevent guiding the AI towards a specific answer or perspective.

7. Break down complex questions: If you have a multi-part question, consider breaking it down into smaller, simpler prompts. This can help the AI generate more accurate and focused responses.

8. Use examples: If you're looking for a specific type of response or format, provide examples within your prompt. This can help guide the AI towards the desired output.

9. Iterate and refine: If the initial response isn't what you're looking for, refine your prompt to be more specific or clarify your requirements. Experiment with different phrasings and approaches to achieve the desired results.

10. Test multiple prompts: Sometimes, the quality of the response can vary depending on the phrasing of your prompt. Try different variations of your question or statement to find the one that elicits the most accurate and useful response.

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