Prompting LLM’s

I. Clarity and Specificity

  1. Be clear and concise: Use simple, straightforward language to convey your request.
    • Good sample: “Write a short story about a character who discovers a hidden treasure.”
    • Bad sample: “Create a narrative that revolves around an individual who stumbles upon a concealed riches repository.”
  2. Define specific tasks: Clearly outline what you want the model to do.
    • Good sample: “Summarize the main points of the article in 50 words.”
    • Bad sample: “Do something with the article, maybe summarize it or something.”
  3. Avoid ambiguity: Use specific terms and phrases to avoid confusion.
    • Good sample: “Generate a recipe for vegan chocolate cake.”
    • Bad sample: “Make a dessert that’s healthy and yummy.”

II. Context and Framing

  1. Provide context: Give the model a clear understanding of the topic, tone, and style you’re aiming for.
    • Good sample: “Write a humorous article about the benefits of procrastination, in the style of The Onion.”
    • Bad sample: “Write something funny about procrastination.”
  2. Frame the task: Use language that sets the tone and direction for the response.
    • Good sample: “Imagine you’re a travel blogger, write a review of a fictional restaurant in Paris.”
    • Bad sample: “Write a review of a restaurant.”

III. Tone and Style

  1. Specify tone and style: Use adjectives to describe the tone and style you’re aiming for.
    • Good sample: “Write a formal, technical report on the benefits of AI in healthcare.”
    • Bad sample: “Write something about AI in healthcare.”
  2. Use emotional cues: Incorporate emotional language to evoke a specific tone or atmosphere.
    • Good sample: “Write a heartfelt letter to a friend who’s going through a tough time.”
    • Bad sample: “Write a letter to a friend.”

IV. Constraints and Guidelines

  1. Set constraints: Provide specific guidelines on format, length, or structure.
    • Good sample: “Write a sonnet about the beauty of nature, with a specific rhyme scheme and 14 lines.”
    • Bad sample: “Write a poem about nature.”
  2. Specify formats and structures: Use specific formats, such as lists or tables, to guide the response.
    • Good sample: “Create a table comparing the features of three different smartphones.”
    • Bad sample: “Write something about smartphones.”

V. Avoiding Bias and Assumptions

  1. Avoid leading language: Phrases that imply a specific answer or perspective can influence the model’s response.
    • Good sample: “What are the benefits and drawbacks of using AI in healthcare?”
    • Bad sample: “Why is AI the best thing to happen to healthcare?”
  2. Use neutral language: Avoid language that implies a particular perspective or bias.
    • Good sample: “Discuss the impact of climate change on global ecosystems.”
    • Bad sample: “Explain why climate change is a hoax.”

VI. Providing Examples and References

  1. Provide examples: Offer concrete examples to illustrate the desired output.
    • Good sample: “Write a product description in the style of this example: [insert example].”
    • Bad sample: “Write a product description.”
  2. Reference external sources: Include references to external sources, such as books or articles, to provide context and guidance.
    • Good sample: “Summarize the main points of ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ in 100 words.”
    • Bad sample: “Write a summary of a book.”

VII. Feedback and Iteration

  1. Provide feedback: Give the model feedback on its responses to improve future output.
    • Good sample: “The previous response was too formal, can you make it more conversational?”
    • Bad sample: “That was bad, try again.”
  2. Iterate and refine: Refine your prompts based on the model’s responses to achieve the desired outcome.
    • Good sample: “Let’s try rewriting the prompt to focus on a specific aspect of the topic.”
    • Bad sample: “Just try again, maybe it’ll work this time.”