Guide to Using the Prompting Framework
This guide outlines a structured prompting framework designed to optimize interactions with Generative AI by clarifying your request’s role, goal, context, level of detail, instructions, and desired format.
1. Role and Goal
Begin by defining the role you want the AI to assume and the goal you aim to achieve with your prompt. Clearly state whether you want the AI to act as a tutor, a creative writer, an analyst, etc., and specify the objective, such as generating an essay, solving a problem, or providing explanations.
Example: “You are a political analyst, provide an overview of the US Constitution.“
2. Context
Provide background information or context to frame your request. This helps the AI understand the scope and specifics of the task, ensuring the response is relevant and accurate.
Example: “Considering the following extracted text from a Wikipedia site. tell me more about the current Cabinet of the USA:
Text from Wiki:
Cabinet Office (Constituting instrument) Incumbent Took office Vice President (Constitution, Article II, Section I) Kamala Harris January 20, 2021 Secretary of State (22 U.S.C. § 2651a) Antony Blinken January 26, 2021 Secretary of the Treasury (31 U.S.C. § 301) Janet Yellen January 26, 2021 Secretary of Defense (10 U.S.C. § 113) Lloyd Austin January 22, 2021 Attorney General (28 U.S.C. § 503) Merrick Garland March 11, 2021“
Adding context is a great way to circumvent the fact that ChatGPT and other chatbots have a close-off date, meaning their training data does not include current events. To make sure you get the correct information, give ChatGPT up-to-date context.
As you can see below, ChatGPT rightly listed the current cabinet members (April 2024). without access to internet, ChatGPT may have provided outdated or wrong information:
3. Level of Detail
Specify how detailed or concise you want the AI’s response to be. This could range from a brief summary to a comprehensive explanation or step-by-step guide, depending on your needs.
Example: “Give a detailed/brief analysis, including key factors driving the current political climate in the US.”
4. Instructions
Outline clear, specific instructions on what the AI should do. This may include the steps it needs to take, the structure of the information you’re seeking, or any constraints to adhere to.
Example: “Start with an overview of the current dynamics between the two parties, followed by an a list of opposing views, and conclude with future predictions on how American politics will play out.“
5. Format/Prime the Output
Indicate the desired format of the AI’s response. This could involve structuring the output as
- a list,
- an essay,
- bullet points,
- or even a dialogue.
You can also ‘prime’ the AI by providing an example of the tone, style, or approach you expect in the response.
Example: “Present your analysis in the form of a Poem that rhymes, and a short summary in bullet points.”
By following this structured approach, you can enhance the effectiveness of your prompts, ensuring that the AI’s responses are closely aligned with your requirements. This framework is adaptable and can be tailored to suit a wide range of tasks, from creative writing and tutoring to technical analysis and problem-solving.
Putting it All together
Now its your turn.
Try to put it all together to craft a comprehensive prompt that is tailored to your needs.
You can use my free Prompt Builder to get started.