20 Prompt Engineering Hacks

Prompt engineering is key to getting the best responses from AI like ChatGPT. Here are 20 hacks to help you craft better prompts:

1. Be Specific

• Clearly define the scope and details of your request.
• Example: Instead of "Tell me about dogs," try "Provide a brief history of how dogs were domesticated."

2. Set the Context

• Establish the background or scenario.
• Example: "Imagine you're a historian in ancient Rome. Describe a typical day in the life."

3. Use Step-by-Step Instructions

• Break down complex tasks into simpler steps.
• Example: "Explain how to bake a cake, step by step."

4. Ask for Lists

• Prompt for lists to organize information efficiently.
• Example: "List the top five benefits of daily exercise."

5. Incorporate Examples

• Provide examples to guide the response.
• Example: "Describe a good introduction for a blog post about gardening."

6. Set a Tone or Style

• Specify the tone or style you want.
• Example: "Explain quantum physics in a humorous way."

7. Ask for Comparisons

• Prompt for comparisons to understand differences and similarities.
• Example: "Compare the climates of New York and Los Angeles."

8. Use Role Play

• Have the AI assume a role to provide context.
• Example: "You are a travel agent. Suggest a vacation itinerary for a family of four."

9. Ask for Pros and Cons

• Request advantages and disadvantages.
• Example: "List the pros and cons of remote work."

10. Define the Audience

• Specify who the response is for.
• Example: "Explain the importance of saving money to a teenager."

11. Use Time Frames

• Set a time frame for the response.
• Example: "Summarize the key events of World War II in the 1940s."

12. Prompt for Stories

• Ask for a narrative to make the response engaging.
• Example: "Tell a story about a heroic rescue."

13. Request Summaries

• Ask for brief summaries to get concise information.
• Example: "Summarize the plot of 'To Kill a Mockingbird.'"

14. Ask for Definitions

• Request definitions of terms or concepts.
• Example: "Define 'photosynthesis' in simple terms."

15. Use Hypotheticals

• Present hypothetical situations for creative responses.
• Example: "What would happen if humans could fly?"

16. Specify the Length

• Set a length for the response.
• Example: "Write a 100-word summary of the benefits of meditation."

17. Ask for Analogies

• Request analogies to explain complex ideas.
• Example: "Explain blockchain technology using an analogy."

18. Prompt for Step-by-Step Guides

• Ask for detailed guides or instructions.
• Example: "Provide a step-by-step guide to creating a budget."

19. Use Open-Ended Questions

• Encourage detailed responses with open-ended questions.
• Example: "What are the key factors in successful team management?"

20. Request Creative Content

• Ask for poems, stories, or other creative outputs.
• Example: "Write a poem about the changing seasons."