Writing AI Prompts
Prompts play a crucial role in guiding the response of generative AI.
With the rise of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT and , the way we interact with technology is evolving. Instead of traditional search engines that rely on keywords and algorithms, you can now engage with AI through conversational chat with personalized responses. This shift requires a new approach: moving from search-engine queries to prompt engineering.
The Search Engine Mindset
When using search engines, you rely on keywords and short phrases to retrieve information from multiple sources.
Example: 'Best laptop for students.'
With search engines:
- Focus on keywords.
- Write precise phrases.
- Sift through and evaluate sources youself by visiting multiple links.
The Conversational AI Mindset
With conversational AI, interactions become more dynamic. Instead of listing resources, the AI delivers personalized responses based on how you frame your question.
Example: 'I'm a student looking for a lightweight, affordable laptop for design software. Any recommendations?'
Adopt a dialogue-based approach:
- Ask full questions.
- Use prompt engineering techniques to get detailed responses.
- Treat interactions like an ongoing conversation. Ask follow-up questions and provide clarifications to deepen the exchange.
Crafting Effective Prompts
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Be Clear and Specific
Prompts provide the necessary guidance and context for AI to generate relevant responses. The better the prompt, the better the response will be.
- Be specific, detailed, and clear.
- Give commands with action verbs like explain, recommend, create, analyze.
- Avoid conflicting instructions.
Search Engine: Best laptop for students.
AI Prompt: I’m a student looking for a laptop that’s lightweight, affordable, and good for running design software. Can you recommend something with a good battery life?'Learn more about
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Use Conversational Language
Since AI tools are trained on large amounts of conversational data, treating the interaction like a conversation can improve the relevance of responses. When you provide context or explain the 'why' behind your question, you can get more relevant information.
- Use natural, conversational language.
- Ask questions.
- Provide context or background information.
Search Engines: History of World War II.
AI Prompt: I’m writing a research paper on the causes of World War II, focusing on how economic factors contributed to the outbreak. Can you give me a brief overview of those economic influences? -
Ask Follow-Up Questions
If the response is not quite what you expected, keep prompting! Copilot remembers your conversation, so continue to customize your prompt with additional context, instructions, and clarifying details to dive deeper into the topic.
Follow-Up Prompt:
After receiving a laptop recommendation, ask:
Are there any good alternatives that might be more budget-friendly but still have a strong battery? -
Follow the Sources
Copilot aims to base its responses on reliable sources, but AI can make mistakes or the source data may have contained inaccuracies or biases. It is important to always validate the information and use your own judgement. Copilot lists sources for specific facts and data, but may not do so if the information is widely-accepted.
If you want to keep researching or wish to cite the information but do not have a source, simply ask! Copilot will provide more detailed references.
Follow-up Prompts:
"Show me your sources."
"Explain how you got this answer."Learn more about .
Example Prompts
Helpful Guidelines:
- Establish your objective.
- Provide context.
- Set expectations / boundaries.
- Define a persona or audience.
- Define tone of voice, format, length.
Ask Questions
Prompts:
- When are the home games for the North Florida Osprey's men's basketball team?
- When are final exams and graduation at 成人AV视频 this semester?
- What are some strategies for managing stress and improving my study habits?
Summarize Information
Prompts:
- Summarize the key findings and recommendations of this report. .
- Provide a study guide from these notes highlighting important themes, dates, and people.
- Suggest talking points for a 10 minute presentation based on this research paper.
Write Text
Prompts:
- Review my article and help brainstorm additional talking points I can address in the final section.
- Evaluate this statement for accuracy and help me improve its grammar and clarity.
- Compose a witty teaser of my article in less than 140 characters for use on social media.
- Draft a job description for a student ambassador for our university welcome center.
Compose Email
Prompts:
- Write a thank you email to event attendees and invite them to take a survey.
- Edit this email to make it more concise and give it an urgent tone.
- Compose a follow-up email based on this meeting transcript. Summarize tasks and deadlines.
Create Images
Prompts:
- Create an image of an osprey wearing a dark blue college hoodie that says 成人AV视频. Make the style photorealistic.
- Design a logo for a student club called "The Fearless Flock". Include bird silhouette with talon marks using blue and gray colors.
Study and Tutoring
Prompts:
- Explain photosynthesis in simple terms? I am preparing for a biology exam and need to focus on the role of sunlight in the process.
- I am new to coding in Javascript. Can you suggest beginner projects to help me understand basic variables and loops?
- How can I prepare for my job interview as a nurse? Quiz me with practice questions.
Research
Prompts:
- Explain the concept of artificial intelligence and what can I read to learn more about large language models?
- Who are prominant scholars on coastal biology and what research have they published in the last 2 years?
- Compare the educational ranking of 成人AV视频 to the top 5 universities in the southeast region.
Analyze Data
Prompts:
- Find the highest / lowest / average [data].
- Are there any trends in this data?
- Compare [x] to [y] and suggest possible reasons for the variance.
Get Recommendations
- I am planning a 3-day trip to Paris for spring break. Can you suggest a mix of attractions and local hidden gems for each day, and tell me the best times to visit?
- I am a resident assistant organizing week of welcome activities for first-time students in housing. Can you recommend fun and sociable ice-breaker activities that will take 20-30 minutes?
Translate Foreign Languages
- Translate this text from Latin to English.
- I am learning Italian. Can you help me practice conversation? Let's say I just landed at the airport and need assistance getting directions to my hotel? I will begin: “Scusi, può darmi indicazioni?"
- I want to learn Japanese. Can you point me to videos and resources to learn basic pronunication?
Why Shift to a Conversational AI and Prompt Engineering Mindset?
Shifting to a conversational AI mindset, along with leveraging prompt engineering, can significantly improve the quality of the information you receive. Master the techniques of prompt engineering and you can unlock the full potential of these tools to make your interactions more efficient, insightful, and productive.
Benefits of Conversational AI:
- Efficiency: Instead of reviewing multiple websites, conversational AI tools provide synthesized answers, saving you time.
- Personalization: By offering more context and refining your prompts, you get tailored responses that better suit your needs.
- Flexibility: You’re not limited to one-off searches; you can refine your inquiries and deepen your understanding through ongoing dialogue.
Tips for Getting Started:
- Start Small: If you’re new to conversational AI, begin by asking simple questions and gradually work on refining your prompts.
- Experiment with Prompts: Try different ways of phrasing your questions to see how the AI’s responses vary.
- Refine Over Time: As you gain more experience, use prompt engineering techniques to craft more effective prompts and get better results.