Mastering these simple techniques to create prompts for large language models will build the foundation you need to complete more complex tasks. For each technique we teach, we provide an example prompt, break down prompt elements in [brackets], and add follow-up questions.

These techniques enable you to guide AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, or Bard to produce more relevant, accurate, and contextually rich outputs. By learning them, you can begin to utilize AI more effectively and increase your chat conversation productivity.

Tips

• Add My industry is [Industry]. More Context [x] to further pinpoint responses
• Add your own context to all [brackets] to make AI responses more personal and focused
• Use the following prompt to repurpose any prompt below to suit your specific purpose or framework.

Repurpose the following prompt to match my needs using this context: [x]

Resources

This article is a living resource. It mirrors our X course threads while providing greater depth and context.

We tweet daily lessons of prompt engineering techniques. Bookmark the #PromptingCourse hashtag or follow @AIHackscc on Twitter to get the latest updates.

Basic Techniques

Learning foundational prompt engineering techniques is pivotal for effectively interacting with AI. Collectively they provide a basic framework for how you should formulate your prompts to receive more relevant and useful outputs.

Role Playing

Role-playing prompts direct the model to respond as a specific character or professional. This helps create contextually rich and accurate responses, especially useful in business idea consultations or practice scenarios. Specify the role and the scenario for clarity, ensuring a focused and effective output.

Prompt

Imagine you are a [business consultant] [specializing in AI-driven innovations]. Write a detailed report for a client about the latest [AI business ideas], including [AI tools, agents, GPTs, and prompt engineering]. Explain how each one can be used in [business operations, increase efficiency], and provide a [competitive edge]. Use an [informative and persuasive] tone.

View our #PromptingCourse Lesson 1 thread for more examples.

Deep Dive

Include a comparison of how these [new AI tools] differ from [traditional business models], highlighting their unique advantages and the significant impact they can have on [business growth and innovation].

Follow Up

What are the key benefits of using [GPTs] in [business strategy development]?

How can [AI agents] enhance [business automation] and [decision-making processes]?

What are some practical [business applications] for [prompt engineering]?

Explain the impact of [the latest AI tools] on [business innovation] and [market positioning]?
How do the [newest AI innovations] address the [limitations of traditional business models]?

Constraints

Clearly defining constraints, such as word limits or specific structures will help you create effective prompts that produce a desired output in AI systems. Think of them like highway lanes that efficiently guide your final destination. Once boundaries are set, they help prevent veering off track by narrowing AI reasoning paths towards to your final answer.

Prompt

Summarize 5 revolutionary [business ideas] in an untapped market related to [AI Agents] of [200 words] each for [an investor pitch]. Focus on the [problems they solve, how they work, market potential, and competitive advantages]. Ensure [clarity and appeal] to [varying technical levels].

View our #PromptingCourse Lesson 2 tweet for more examples.

Deep Dive

Explain the unique aspects of this idea [#5] compared to [existing solutions]. Highlight [differences in technology, approach, or outcomes]. Discuss [proprietary systems, unique data sets, or innovative features], and emphasize [superior accuracy, speed, or cost-effectiveness] with [examples or case studies].

Follow Up

Identify the [core issue] this idea tackles. Explain [current challenges without your solution], including [inefficiencies, costs, or frustrations]. Describe how the idea [solves problems, provides insights, or improves processes], and mention [quantifiable benefits].

Describe your target market, including [industries or sectors that benefit most]. Provide [demographic information] about potential customers, such as [company size, location, and specific needs or pain points]. Explain why these customers will [adopt your solution] and [how it fits into their workflows or business models].

Include a [brief example] of [successful implementation in a pilot program] for this idea. Detail the [pilot program, tasks automated, success metrics, initial results, and user feedback]. Highlight improvements in [efficiency, cost savings, and user satisfaction] over previous methods.

Continuation

By providing clear and engaging context, you can guide generated response narratives or ideas to align with the key points in the topic or storyline. When developing prompts, include enough background information for generative AI tools like ChatGPT to set the scene for the contextual continuation of a specific task.

Prompt

Our primary competitor, [TechInnovators Inc.], has [recently launched] a [new AI-powered customer service platform]. Their [product] [features advanced natural language processing and real-time analytics], positioning them as a [strong player in the market]. Your goal is to [evaluate their strengths and weaknesses] and [determine how we can differentiate our product].

View our #PromptingCourse Lesson 3 tweet for more examples.

Deep Dive

Now add a section that outlines the [potential threats and opportunities posed by our competitor], including an [analysis of their market share], [product capabilities], and [user feedback] that will help us define [our future growth plan].

Follow Up

Add a section that outlines the [potential threats and opportunities posed by our competitor], including an [analysis of their market share],  [technological advancements], and [customer feedback], along with their [strategic partnerships] and [how these alliances] contribute to their [market leadership] and [competitive positioning].

Add a section to analyze how our [AI-driven platform's] [real-time data analytics] can transform [inventory management for SMEs], ensuring [optimal stock levels], [reducing waste], and improving [order fulfillment efficiency].

Add a section that outlines [internal data]from [SMEs' operations] that is most valuable for [enhancing the predictive capabilities] of our platform, and how [our competition exploits these needs for profit].

Specificity

Use specificity in prompting allows a generative AI model to focus its generated response with clarity and add context with specific details. Precise goals and constraints guide the AI to produce accurate and relevant responses. This technique reduces ambiguity, enhancing usefulness and coherence. Prompt engineers who provide examples and clear instructions will create better AI interactions.

Prompt

Develop a comprehensive [blog series] on [advanced prompt engineering tips]. Outline the structure, focusing on [advanced techniques and strategies]. Identify key topics such as [multi-turn prompts, contextual continuation, leveraging user feedback, and sophisticated role-playing]. Provide authoritative insights and practical tips. Include detailed examples and step-by-step guides to ensure readers can [apply these advanced concepts effectively]. Ensure each post builds on the previous one, creating a [cohesive and thorough guide] for readers interested in [mastering advanced prompt engineering techniques].

View our #PromptingCourse Lesson 4 tweet for more examples.

Deep Dive

Develop a [blog post] on the [fundamentals of advanced prompt engineering]. Define [key terms] and explain [principles that elevate prompt engineering from basic to expert level]. Discuss the [importance of advanced techniques for effective AI interactions]. Include examples of [leveraging deep learning models, integrating contextual nuances, and sophisticated error-handling strategies]. Emphasize [mastering these techniques to create high-performing AI agents].

Follow Up

Develop a [post on best practices] in [advanced prompt engineering], covering [clarity, context-setting, and specificity]. Provide tips for [avoiding pitfalls and ensuring high-quality outputs]. Include examples and emphasize [iterative testing and refinement for precise, coherent prompts].

Develop a post on [using multi-turn prompts for complex tasks]. Explain [structuring interactions, maintaining coherence, and guiding AI conversations]. Include step-by-step examples and techniques to [manage user input and AI responses effectively].

Develop a post on [creating complex role-playing prompts] to [simulate real interactions]. Include [customer service and educational scenarios], with tips for ]achieving realistic AI responses]. Provide guides for [context and character consistency].

Develop a post on [integrating user feedback into prompt engineering]. Explain [collecting, analyzing, and incorporating feedback]. Provide examples and advice for ]using feedback loops to improve AI performance and accuracy, highlighting continuous improvement].

Develop a post on ]advanced error handling in prompt engineering]. Explain [anticipating and managing errors in AI responses]. Provide strategies and examples for [robust prompts], addressing [common errors like ambiguity and misinterpretation], with case studies of [successful error management].

Perspective

Prompt

View our #PromptingCourse Lesson 5 tweet for more examples.

Deep Dive

Follow Up