How to Write Prompts for the Best AI Responses

Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT have revolutionised how we solve problems, create content, and manage tasks across various industries. It's important to remember that the quality of responses you receive directly depends on how well you present your questions or tasks. Therefore, to harness the full potential of ChatGPT, crafting effective prompts is key. This guide will walk you through the best practices for writing prompts to get the best results from ChatGPT and other AI search engines.

1. Define the purpose and scope

Before you start writing your prompt, think about the purpose (why you need it) and scope (how much you need). Knowing exactly what you want to achieve will help you frame your request more effectively. Unlike traditional search engines, AI does better with more information. So don't hold back on all the details of what you need.

Example: Instead of: "What marketing do small businesses need to do?"

Try: "Pitch me 4 different marketing strategies, that include social media, email marketing, and ads, that have been proven to work for small businesses."

This prompt directs the AI to provide something specific for you, so you are more likely to appreciate the answer and find it useful. Your preferred artificial intelligence search engine understands the context you provide, no matter how long your prompt is, and delivers the focused response.

2. Be Clear and Specific

Ambiguity is a common pitfall in prompt writing. Don't let yourself make this mistake. If you are not clear or specific in what you want from your AI, then the AI will create its own ideas of what you might like. In some cases, it might be interesting to see what the AI decides for you, but for the most part, the AI needs clear and specific prompts to provide you the best answer.

The more details you provide, the better ChatGPT, or any AI search engine, can tailor its response to meet your needs.

Example: Instead of: "Write me a short story."

Try: "Write a 500-700 word science fiction story set in a future where humans have colonised Mars. Focus on the daily life of a settler and the challenges they face, with some comedy throughout."

By specifying the length, genre, setting, and focus, you are offering clear and specific guidance for your AI search engine. This will help it produce a response that is more to your needs.

3. Break Down Complex Tasks

For complex tasks, even following the first two steps above will not be enough. Complex tasks can be overwhelming for artificial intelligence. Therefore, breaking tasks down into smaller, manageable steps can improve the quality of the response. You can also encourage the AI to think in a certain professional mindset.

Example: Instead of: "Write a 1,000 word essay on the causes and effects of climate change since 1950, with a focus on the impact on animal and plant species."

Try: "I am writing a 1,000 word essay on climate change in the UK since 1950. My questions below will all be related to this. Please think and respond in the same way as an environmental scientist. Summarise the primary and secondary causes of UK climate change in ~300 words. Describe the effects of climate change on British weather patterns and what weather would be like if the climate had not changed. Max 400 words. Explain the impact of climate change on animals and plants living in the UK, in ~200 words. Conclude the research you've provided and what it means for living in the UK in the future"

This step-by-step approach allows ChatGPT and any other AI search engine to address each part of the complex task thoroughly. Giving you the best, specific answers throughout your response.

4. Provide Context and Examples

Context helps ChatGPT, or your preferred AI search engine, to understand the framework within which it needs to operate. Asking your AI to act in a specified role, and asking it to provide examples can further clarify your expectations.

Example: Instead of: "What kind of man was King Henry VIII to kill so many of his wives?"

Try: "As a historian for the Tudors, break down King Henry VIII's personality traits to showcase why he killed his wives. Please provide an example of his actions to explain each trait you've listed."

This prompt provides context (personality traits of a Tudor king to order death of his wives) and requests for an example to prove the personality traits the AI suggested were correct.

5. Set Constraints and Guidelines

Defining constraints and guidelines helps AI search engines understand the boundaries within which it should operate, ensuring the responses align with your requirements.

Example: Instead of: "Write a book review of 'Murder on the Orient Express' by Agatha Christie."

Try: "Write me a 100-word review of the book 'Murder on the Orient Express' by Agatha Christie. Focus on the plot, character development, and writing style. Avoid spoilers and maintain a neutral tone."

This prompt sets clear constraints on length, focus areas, and tone, helping AI produce a more suitable review. The guidelines here are that the AI must not reveal any spoilers and keep a neutral tone so it is unbiased.

6. Iterate and Refine

Iterative prompting is the continuing refinement and adjustment of your prompt, improving the accuracy and relevance of AI responses. So, don't hesitate to refine your prompts based on the responses you receive.

Example: Initial prompt: "Explain how the internet exists."

Refined prompt: "Explain how the internet was made, how it runs now, and if anything has developed or improved over time."

Iteration after first response: "Explain what the internet is, and how it can spread so widely across the world. I'd like an in-depth explanation with a simple diagram with each point you explain."

By refining your prompt, you can guide ChatGPT or any other AI search tool to provide more detailed and relevant information.

Conclusion

Crafting effective prompts is a skill that can significantly enhance your interactions with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or any other AI search engine. By defining the purpose, being specific, breaking down complex tasks, providing context, setting constraints, and iterating on your initial requests, you can achieve better results. Implement these techniques to make the most out of your AI search capabilities and improve the quality of its responses.