Prompt engineering refers to the process of designing and constructing effective prompts for language models or chatbots. It involves crafting specific instructions or queries that elicit desired responses from the model. The goal of prompt engineering is to guide the language model's output, shaping it to be more accurate, relevant, and coherent. By carefully structuring the prompts, engineers can control the behavior of the model and steer it towards producing the desired results.
Prompt engineering often involves experimenting with different formats, techniques, and language patterns to optimize the performance of the model. Engineers utilize various strategies such as adding context, specifying constraints, or providing examples within the prompts to influence the output.
The process of prompt engineering requires understanding the capabilities and limitations of the language model being used. It involves an iterative approach, where engineers continuously refine and enhance the prompts based on the model's responses and user feedback.
Effective prompt engineering is crucial in developing conversational agents or generating specific outputs from language models. It plays a significant role in improving the performance, reliability, and user experience of AI chatbots and other natural language processing systems.
What is prompt engineering?
Prompt engineering is the art and science of crafting inputs that guide a natural language model to produce outputs that match the intended goal. A prompt consists of three main components: a context, a query, and a format. The context provides some background information or instructions for the model, such as the task description, the domain, the tone, or the style. The query is the specific input that the model has to process, such as a text to summarize, a sentence to analyze, or a question to answer. The format specifies how the output should be structured, such as the length, the delimiter, or the keywords.
Why is prompt engineering important?
Prompt engineering is important because it can significantly affect the performance and behavior of natural language models. Different prompts can lead to different outputs, even for the same query. For example, consider the task of summarizing a news article. Depending on how we frame the context and the format, we can get different summaries that emphasize different aspects of the article, such as the main point, the key facts, the opinion, or the tone. Prompt engineering can also help us avoid undesirable outputs, such as irrelevant, inaccurate, or harmful responses. By carefully choosing the context and the format, we can steer the model towards more appropriate and useful outputs.
So how can we design and create effective prompts for natural language systems?
Here are some general guidelines that I recommend:
- Know your system. Different systems may have different capabilities and limitations. For example, some systems may be able to handle multiple languages, while others may not. Some systems may be able to generate different types of texts, while others may not. Some systems may be able to interpret special symbols or tokens, while others may not. Therefore, it is important to know what your system can and cannot do before designing prompts for it.
- Know your goal. What are you trying to achieve with your prompt? What kind of response do you want from your system? What kind of information do you want to provide or obtain from your system? Depending on your goal, you may need to adjust your prompt accordingly. For example, if you want to test your system's ability to generate different types of texts, you may need to include various specifications and constraints in your prompt. If you want to evaluate your system's performance or accuracy, you may need to include some reference texts or metrics in your prompt. If you want to fine-tune your system's behavior or style, you may need to include some feedback or suggestions in your prompt. If you want to generate content for a specific purpose or audience, you may need to include some keywords or characteristics in your prompt.
- Be clear and concise. Your prompt should be easy to understand and follow by your system. Avoid using ambiguous or vague terms or expressions that may confuse your system or lead to unwanted results. Use simple and direct language that conveys your intention and expectation clearly. Use punctuation and formatting properly to separate different parts of your prompt and make it more readable. Use special symbols or tokens consistently and appropriately to indicate specific instructions or specifications for your system.
- Be creative and flexible. Your prompt should be able to elicit diverse and interesting responses from your system. Avoid using boring or repetitive keywords or phrases that may limit your system's creativity or variety. Use synonyms, antonyms, related words, or other linguistic techniques to expand your vocabulary and generate more options for your system. Use open-ended or multiple-choice questions, hypothetical scenarios, or other rhetorical devices to stimulate your system's imagination and reasoning. Use humor, emotion, or personality to add some flavor and appeal to your system's output.
- Be respectful and ethical. Your prompt should not ask your system to generate or do anything that is harmful, offensive, or inappropriate for yourself, your system, or others. Avoid using keywords or phrases that may trigger negative or violent reactions from your system or others. Avoid using keywords or phrases that may violate the privacy, security, or rights of yourself, your system, or others. Avoid using keywords or phrases that may promote or endorse any illegal, immoral, or unethical behavior or activity. If you encounter any potentially harmful requests from others, you should refuse to generate and report them accordingly.
For example, consider the following prompt:
Education Related Prompts
Text Summary
Summarize a piece of text in a given length.
Original text: [What is the text that needs to be summarized?]
Summary length: [Enter the desired length of the summary in words or sentences].
Purpose: [What is the purpose of the summary? E.g. to provide an overview, to highlight key points, etc.]
Writing style and tone: [Choose writing styles and tones you would want].
Content Improve
Provide suggestions to improve the quality and effectiveness of a given piece of content.
Original content: [What is the content that needs to be improved? E.g. blog post, article, etc.].
Goal: [What is the goal of the content? E.g. to inform, entertain, persuade, etc.].
Target audience: [Who is the target audience for the content?].
Writing style and tone: [Choose writing styles and tones you would want].
Sentence Expander
Expand a given sentence to make it more descriptive.
Sentence: [Enter the sentence that needs to be expanded].
Additional Details: [Provide any additional details or information that could be added to the sentence]. (optional)
Length Limit: [Enter the desired length of the expanded sentence in words].
Writing style and tone: [Choose writing styles and tones you would want].
Grammar And Syntax Edit
[Paste the text you want to correct here]
Correct and highlight all the grammar and language mistakes in the text above, even the small mistakes.
Provide a detailed explanation for each mistake, then re-write the text with the corrections.
Organize information in a chart so its easy to understand.
Paraphrase Content
Paraphrase a given piece of text to make it unique and original.
Original content: [What is the content that needs to be paraphrased?].
Purpose: [What is the purpose of the paraphrasing? E.g. to avoid plagiarism, to simplify language, etc.].
Length limit: [Enter the desired length of the paraphrased content in words.]
Entertainment Related Prompts
Create a Midjourney Prompt
Generate a prompt for MidJourney, a text-to-image AI
Image:[image you want],
Descriptive keywords: [How would you like to describe the image] (optional)
Photographic style: [Describe the photographic style]. (optional)
Tone: [describe the tone you want in the results]. (optional)
Object: [identify the main object in the image]
Action: [describe what the object is doing, or what you want it to do?] (optional)
Compose a Songs
Write Song Lyrics
Song genre:[genre of the song (such as pop, rock, hip-hop)].
Mood and tone:[mood and tone (happy, romantic, melancholic, etc.)].
Theme: [center theme or key message].
Song structure: [Structure outline. For example Intro-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus-Outro]. (optional)
Lyrics: [Specify what you want to appear in the songs (Consider including rhyming patterns, wordplay, and poetic devices, or just a brief description of the song like a song to encourage people going through tough times).].
Length limit: [Enter a number] words.
Target audience: [Who would most likely read this?] (optional).
Write Interesting Story
Write a Short Story
Purpose of the story: [Purpose 1], [Purpose 2],...
Setting: [Description of the time and place where the story takes place].
Characters: [Introduction of the main characters and their personalities].
Conflict: [Description of the conflict that the characters face].
Plot: [Outline of the events that take place in the story, including any twists and turns].
Resolution: [Resolution to the conflict and explanation of how the characters are affected].
Theme: [Theme of the story, if there is one].
Length limit: [Enter a number] words.
Target audience: [Who would most likely read this?] (optional).
Love Letter for your Crush
Write a love letter.
Recipient: [Who is the letter addressed to?].
Relationship: [What is your relationship to the recipient?].
Emotions: [What emotions do you want to convey? E.g. love, admiration, appreciation, etc.].
Memories: [Share a few special memories or moments you've shared together].
Future: [What do you hope for in the future of your relationship?].
A Song Recommender
I want you to act as a song recommender. I will provide you with a song and you will create a playlist of [Enter number of songs you want] songs that are similar to the given song. And you will provide a playlist name and description for the playlist. Do not choose songs that are same name or artist. Do not write any explanations or other words, just reply with the playlist name, description and the songs. My first song is [Enter name and singer of your favorite song].
Career Related Prompts
Interview Questions
Come up with questions to ask in an interview for a specific job.
Job position: [What position are the interview questions for?].
Role responsibilities: [List the key responsibilities of the job].
Required skills: [What skills are required for the job?].
Personal qualities: [What personal qualities are important for the job?].
Company culture: [What is the company culture like?].
Resume
Write a resume for a job application.
Personal information: [Name, address, phone number, email address, etc.].
Objective: [What are your career goals?].
Education: [List your educational qualifications].
Work experience: [List your work experience and job responsibilities].
Skills: [List your skills and certifications].
References: [Provide a list of references].
Ask an Expert
Write a message to Ask An Expert
My name: [Name].
Receiver's name: [Name].
My background: [Your back ground] (optional0.
Purpose: [the reason you are reaching out to the expert].
My knowledge: [Demonstrate your understanding of the expert's field and the specific topics they are knowledgeable about.]. (optional)
Provide context: [Explain why you believe the expert could be helpful in your specific situation, and why your request is relevant to their expertise.]
Offer value: [How the expert can benefit from engaging with you] (optional)
Length limit: [Enter a number] words.
Target audience: [Who would most likely read this?] (optional).
Rejection Letter
Write a Rejection Letter
Candidate's name: [Candidate's name].
Candidate's applied position: [Position].
Company's name: [Company's name].
My name: [Your name and position].
Feed back: [Feedback] (optional).
Length limit: [Enter a number] words..
Job Description
Write a job description for a [Job Title] role at [Company Name].
Company's name: [Company/brand name].
Industry: [Industry] (optional).
What It provide:[Product/services].
Responsibilities: [Main responsibilities and duties].
Qualifications and skills: [Required qualifications and skills].
Desired skills, traits, and qualities: [Desired skills, traits, and qualities].
Company benefits: [Benefits and perks the company offers].
Company's culture [The company's work culture and environment].
How to apply: [Deadline for submitting applications, email, phone, etc].
Length limit: [Enter a number] words.
Target audience: [Who would most likely read this?] (optional).
Job Application Email
Write an email to pitch my job application
I need a subject line to stand out.
Name of the company and the role: [Insert the company and the role you're applying for]
Your information: [Insert your name and contact info]
Reasons you're applying: [What makes you apply for this role]
Your competitive advantage: [Reasons why the employer should hire you]
Attached items in the email: [What you include in the email to impress]
A formal and exciting closing
Email Related Prompts
Interview Invitation Letter
I need an interview invitation email for the following details
Name of the candidate: [Name]
Position interviewed: [Position]
Company: [Your company's name]
Company address: [Your Company address]
Interview method: [Insert the method of interview: Direct, Online, etc]
Interviewer: [Name of the Interviewer - Current position]
Notes: [Things that the interviewee needs to bring before coming to the interview or something they need to bear in mind, etc]
Time the interviewee needs to confirm the invitation: [Insert the time]
Offer assistance: [Let the recipient know that you are available to assist with any questions or concerns they may have, and provide your contact information].
Length limit: [Enter a number] words.
A friendly closing
Job Offer Email
Write a job offer email to my potential candidate
Candidate name: [Name of your best candidate]
Job Position: [Name of the role] at [Company's name]
Start date: [Insert the date that the candidate will start working]
Place: [Company address for the role]
Probationary Period: [Insert the period of time]
Salary and benefits of the job position: [Insert the salary amount and the benefits your candidate will receive]
Related info: [Additional information about the policies of the company/organization]
Offer assistance: [Let the recipient know that you are available to assist with any questions or concerns they may have, and provide your contact information].
A warm welcome
Recurring Email Newsletter
Write a Recurring Email Newsletter
Name: [Your name, position].
Company: [Your company's name] .
Information about the recipient: [name, job, industry,..].
Purpose: [what you want to include] .
Length limit: [Enter a number] words.
Target audience: [Who would most likely read this?] (optional).
Welcome / Confirmation Email
Write a Welcome/confirmation email
Name: [Your name, position]
Company: [Your company's name]
Confirm the details: [Include confirmation of the details of the interaction or transaction the recipient has had with your company, such as a purchase or subscription].
Provide next steps: [Include any necessary information or instructions for the recipient on what they should do next, such as setting up an account or accessing their purchase].
Offer assistance: [Let the recipient know that you are available to assist with any questions or concerns they may have, and provide your contact information].
A friendly closing
Length limit: [Enter a number] words.
Target audience: [Who would most likely read this?] (optional).
Marketing Related Prompts
Marketing Srtategy Template
Suggest a marketing strategy for my brand
Product/Service: [What product or service are you offering?]
Target audience: [Your ideal customers]
Customer's insight: [Your customer's needs, preferences, and behavior]
Objectives: [What you want to achieve via this marketing strategy]
Budget: [How much you are willing to spend?]
Competitors: [What are their strengths and weaknesses?]
AIDA Frame Work
Write a copy that follows the AIDA framework to create a persuasive message.
Product/Service: [What product or service are you offering?].
Attention: [How will you capture the reader's attention?]. (optional)
Interest: [What will you do to keep the reader interested?]. (optional)
Desire: [How will you create a desire for your product or service?]. (optional)
Action: [What is the call-to-action to get the reader to take the next step?]. (optional)
Length Limit: [Enter the desired length of the copy in words]. (optional)
Writing style and tone: [Choose writing styles and tones you would want]. (optional)
Press Release
Write a press release for a company or organization.
Company/Organization: [Name of the company or organization issuing the press release].
News/Announcement: [What is the news or announcement that the press release is about?].
Key Points: [What are the most important points to convey in the press release?].
Contact Information: [Who should the press contact for more information?].
Length Limit: [Enter the desired length of the press release in words].
Writing style and tone: [Choose writing styles and tones you would want].
Unique Value Propositions
Write a copy that emphasizes the unique value of a product or service.
Product/Service: [What product or service are you offering?].
Unique Value: [What is the unique value or benefit that your product or service provides?]. (optional)
Target Market: [Who is your target market?]. (optional)
Competition: [How does your product or service differ from the competition?]. (optional)
Length Limit: [Enter the desired length of the copy in words].
Writing Style and Tone: [Choose from a list of writing styles and tones].
FAQs
Write a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) for a product or service.
Topic: [What is the topic of the FAQs? E.g. product, service, company, etc.].
Social Media Related Prompts
Youtube Video Description
Write a Youtube Video Description
Video's title: [title]
Key Points: [Key takeaways or highlights of the video].
Explain my video: [video brief].
CTA: [what do you want from viewers?]
Additional Resources: [additional resources or links related to the video topic]. (optional)
Length limit: [Enter a number] words.
Target audience: [Who would most likely read this?] (optional).
Intro to a Video Script
Write a intro to a video script
Topic: [Brief Overview of Video Topic].
Objective: [Objective of Video].
Key Takeaways: [Key Takeaways].
Preview: [Peview of What Will Be Covered]. (optional)
Hook: [Insert a hook or attention-grabbing statement] (optional)
Length limit: [Enter a number] words.
Target audience: [Who would most likely read this?] (optional).
Create a Tiktok Video
Write a how-to video script
Topic: [Brief overview of what tutorial you are giving to viewers]
Objective: [Purpose of the video, for example: Sell your service / solution.]
Hook: [What values shall viewers receive from the video]
How to: [Step-by-step process]
Target audience: [Who would most likely watch this tutorial video?]
Call to action: [What you want the viewers to do after watching your tutorial?
For example: Add a product from Tik Tok Shop to cart.]
Music Video Script
I need a script for my Music Video
Title: [provide the tittle of the MV]
Video theme: [identify the theme of the MV]
Music genre: [provide the genre of the song]
Music theme: [identify the main theme of the song]
Characters: [provide a short brief about the protagonists of the music video]
Length: [how long do you want your video to be]
Youtube Video Topic Idea
Come up with a topic idea for a YouTube video.
Niche/Industry: [What is the niche or industry for the YouTube video?].
Audience: [Who is the target audience for the video?].
Content: [What is the content of the video?].
Length limit: [Enter the desired length of the video in minutes or seconds.].
Writing style and tone: [Choose writing styles and tones you would want].
Instagram Caption
Write 3 Instagram captions
Type of content: [images, reels igtv]
Target audience: [Who would most likely see this post?].
Content: [Content of the post].
After the 3rd caption, please provide a list of 30 hashtags written in a single line separated with a space character. 80% of hashtags should be long-tail and 20% should be high-volume hashtags. Do not include any @mentions.
Think of prompt engineering as the secret sauce for making the most out of AI language models like GPT-3.5 or other. By getting savvy with how you ask questions, you're basically opening a treasure chest of possibilities in the world of artificial intelligence. So, go ahead, have fun with it, and let the language magic begin!