Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT: "PMCI" Method

Introduction to Prompt Engineering Methodology?

Effective prompt engineering is a crucial aspect of utilising AI language models like GPT-4. To optimize the quality and relevance of generated responses, we have developed a methodology that encompasses three primary categories based on process and outcome. These categories streamline the process of creating effective prompts and can be applied to a wide range of tasks and applications.?

1. Prompt Formulation: This category focuses on crafting well-structured prompts that guide the model toward generating the desired output. Key aspects include making prompts specific and clear, providing context and examples, limiting response length, using step-by-step instructions, and experimenting with different prompt formulations.?
2. Model Control and Guidance: To further refine the output and ensure it aligns with the intended goals, this category emphasizes adjusting model parameters and guiding the thought process. Techniques such as parameter adjustment, and encouraging the model to debate pros and cons, contribute to better control over the generated responses.?
3. Iteration and Improvement: Recognising that prompt engineering is an iterative process, this category underscores the importance of analysing the model's responses and refining the prompts accordingly. Continuous iteration and improvement lead to more accurate and focused results.?

By adopting this comprehensive methodology, users can create effective prompts that enhance the utility of AI language models like GPT-4 and achieve desired outcomes across various tasks and domains.?

Creating effective prompts for GPT-4 involves a combination of techniques and considerations. Here are some best practices for prompt engineering:?

?Best Practices

1. Be specific and clear: Ensure your prompt is explicit and unambiguous. Clearly state the task or information you need from the model.?
2. Provide context and examples: If you're looking for a specific format or structure, consider providing an example or a detailed context to guide the model in generating an appropriate response.?
3. Limit the response length: Depending on the task, you may want to set a limit on the length of the response to avoid overly verbose answers.?
4. Use step-by-step instructions: For more complex tasks, break the prompt into smaller steps or questions to guide the model in generating more accurate and focused responses.?
5. Experiment with different prompt formulations: Try out various ways of phrasing your prompt to see which one yields the best results. This may include using different keywords, synonyms, or phrasing structures.?
6. Leverage system parameters: Adjust the model's temperature and top-p settings to control the randomness and focus of the generated response. Lower temperature values (e.g., 0.5) will produce more focused responses, while higher values (e.g., 1.0) will introduce more randomness.?
7. Encourage the model to think step-by-step or debate pros and cons: For complex questions or problems, ask the model to list steps, considerations, or pros and cons before providing a final answer. This can help to ensure a more thoughtful and comprehensive response.?
8. Iterate and refine: Prompt engineering is an iterative process. Test different variations of prompts, analyze the results, and refine the prompts based on the feedback.?

Specific Examples & Explanation

Below are specific examples demonstrating each best practice mentioned:?

1. Be specific and clear:?

General Prompt: "Tell me about a scientific discovery." Improved Prompt: "Explain the discovery of the Higgs boson and its significance in particle physics."?

Explanation: The improved prompt is more specific about the scientific discovery in question, focusing on the Higgs boson, which provides clearer guidance for the model.

2. Provide context and examples:?

Vague Prompt: "Write a haiku." Improved Prompt: "Write a haiku about the changing seasons, with the first line containing 5 syllables, the second line containing 7 syllables, and the third line containing 5 syllables."?

Explanation: The improved prompt provides context (changing seasons) and explicitly states the format and structure of a haiku, helping the model generate an appropriate response.?

3. Limit the response length:?

General Prompt: "Summarise the plot of 'Romeo and Juliet'." Improved Prompt: "In 50 words or less, provide a concise summary of the plot of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet'."?

Explanation: The improved prompt sets a word limit to encourage a brief, focused response and avoid overly lengthy answers.

4. Use step-by-step instructions:?

Single Prompt: "How can I reduce stress in my life?" Step-by-Step Prompt: "Identify three common stressors in daily life, then provide one coping strategy for each stressor to help manage stress levels."?

Explanation: Breaking the prompt into smaller tasks (identifying stressors and providing coping strategies) guides the model in generating a more structured and focused response.?

5. Experiment with different prompt formulations:?

Prompt A: "What are the symptoms of the flu?" Prompt B: "List common signs and symptoms of influenza."?

Explanation: Trying different phrasings can help you determine which formulation produces the most accurate and relevant information.?

6. Leverage system parameters:?

Prompt: "Write a poem about the beauty of nature." Adjust temperature settings to control the randomness and focus of the generated response.?

Explanation: By adjusting the model's temperature, you can influence the creativity and focus of the generated poem, leading to more varied or consistent output.?

7. Encourage the model to think step-by-step or debate pros and cons:?

Single Prompt: "Is remote work a good option for companies?" Improved Prompt: "Analyse three advantages and three disadvantages of remote work for companies, and provide a conclusion on whether it's a good option overall."?

Explanation: Encouraging the model to weigh pros and cons results in a more comprehensive and balanced response, rather than a simple yes or no answer.?

8. Iterate and refine:?

Initial Prompt: "Explain the benefits of meditation." Refined Prompt: "Describe four mental and emotional benefits of practicing meditation regularly, and explain how these benefits can improve daily life."?

Explanation: Refining the prompt to specify the type of benefits and connecting them to daily life improvements guides the model towards a more focused and relevant response.?

As you create prompts, remember to experiment with different techniques and iterate based on the model's responses to achieve the desired output.?

PMCI (Methodology)?

These could be grouped into three categories based on their process or outcome:?

1. Prompt formulation:?

• Specific and clear?
• Context and examples?
• Limit response length?
• Step-by-step instructions?
• Experiment with formulations?

2. Model control and guidance:?

• Parameter adjustment?
• Debate pros and cons?

3. Iteration and improvement:?

• Iterate and refine?

Worked Example

Let's assume a teacher wants to create a lesson on "Climate Change" for a high school group. Here's a demonstration of a prompt using the three categories of the prompt engineering methodology:?

1. Prompt Formulation:?

• Specific and clear: "Create a high school lesson plan on climate change, focusing on causes, effects, and potential solutions."?
• Context and examples: "Include real-world examples of climate change impacts and case studies of successful initiatives to combat climate change."?
• Limit response length: "The lesson plan should be suitable for a 60-minute class."?
• Step-by-step instructions: "Outline the lesson plan in four sections: introduction, causes, effects, and solutions."?
• Experiment with formulations: "Develop a detailed lesson plan for a 1-hour high school class discussing the causes, consequences, and possible solutions for climate change, using real-life examples and case studies."?

2. Model Control and Guidance:?

• Parameter adjustment: Set the temperature to a lower value (e.g., 0.5) to encourage focused and relevant content.?
• Debate pros and cons: "Include a segment in the lesson plan where students debate the advantages and disadvantages of different climate change mitigation strategies."?

3. Iteration and Improvement:?

After receiving the initial response from the model, evaluate the generated lesson plan for clarity, relevance, and completeness. If necessary, refine the prompt or provide additional information to improve the output.?

Final Prompt: "Develop a detailed lesson plan for a 1-hour high school class discussing the causes, consequences, and possible solutions for climate change. The lesson should be divided into four sections: introduction, causes, effects, and solutions. Include real-life examples, case studies of successful initiatives, and a segment for students to debate the pros and cons of various mitigation strategies."?

By using this methodology, you can create an effective prompt that guides the model to generate a comprehensive lesson plan on climate change tailored to a high school audience.?

Develop a detailed lesson plan for a 1-hour high school class discussing the causes, consequences, and possible solutions for climate change. The lesson should be divided into four sections: introduction, causes, effects, and solutions. Include real-life examples, case studies of successful initiatives, and a segment for students to debate the pros and cons of various mitigation strategies. Do you have any questions?

Resultant Output?

Here's a lesson plan that meets your requirements:?

Topic: Causes, Consequences, and Possible Solutions for Climate Change?

Grade Level: High School?

Duration: 1 hour?

Objectives:?

• Understand the causes and consequences of climate change?
• Explore possible solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change?
• Analyse and evaluate the pros and cons of various mitigation strategies?
• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real-life examples and case studies?

Materials:?

• Whiteboard and markers?
• Handouts with key concepts, data, and case studies?
• Online resources (websites, videos, infographics)?
• Debate prompt sheets?

Procedure:?

Introduction (10 minutes)?

1. Greet the students and introduce the topic of climate change.?
2. Ask the students if they have heard about climate change before and what they know about it.?
3. Explain the main goals and structure of the lesson, highlighting the four sections (causes, consequences, solutions, and debate).?
4. Show a short video or infographic that presents the basic concepts of climate change, such as the greenhouse effect, global temperature rise, and sea-level rise.?

Causes (20 minutes)?

1. Write on the board the main causes of climate change, such as fossil fuel burning, deforestation, agriculture, and industrial activities.?
2. Explain each cause briefly, providing real-life examples and data to support the explanation (e.g., the impact of oil extraction on wildlife habitats, the carbon footprint of transportation, the effects of land-use change on biodiversity).?
3. Engage the students in a discussion about the causes of climate change, asking them to share their perspectives and opinions.?
4. Distribute handouts with key concepts and data about the causes of climate change.?

Effects (20 minutes)?

1. Write on the board the main consequences of climate change, such as extreme weather events, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, and biodiversity loss.?
2. Explain each consequence briefly, providing real-life examples and case studies to illustrate the effects (e.g., the impact of hurricanes on coastal communities, the melting of glaciers and permafrost, the decline of coral reefs and marine species).?
3. Engage the students in a discussion about the consequences of climate change, asking them to share their perspectives and opinions.?
4. Distribute handouts with key concepts and data about the consequences of climate change.?

Solutions (20 minutes)?

1. Write on the board the main solutions to mitigate climate change, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, afforestation, and sustainable agriculture.?
2. Explain each solution briefly, providing real-life examples and success stories to show the potential and challenges of each approach (e.g., the expansion of solar and wind power, the retrofitting of buildings for energy efficiency, the reforestation of degraded lands, the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices).?
3. Engage the students in a discussion about the solutions to mitigate climate change, asking them to share their perspectives and opinions.?
4. Distribute handouts with key concepts and data about the solutions to mitigate climate change.?

Debate (10 minutes)?

1. Divide the class into two groups, each representing a different approach to mitigate climate change (e.g., investing in renewable energy vs. promoting nuclear power, reducing meat consumption vs. developing lab-grown meat).?
2. Give each group a prompt sheet with arguments in favour and against their approach, as well as rebuttals to the opposing group's arguments.?
3. Allow each group to prepare their arguments and rebuttals for 5 minutes.?
4. Conduct a moderated debate between the two groups, giving each member a chance to present their argument and respond to the opposing group's argument.?

**Conclusion?

(5 minutes)?

1. Summarise the key concepts and takeaways from the lesson, emphasising the causes, consequences, and solutions of climate change.?
2. Ask the students if they have any questions or comments about the lesson.?
3. Encourage the students to reflect on what they have learned and how they can apply it in their daily lives or future careers.?
4. Thank the students for their participation and interest in the topic.?

Assessment:?

• Observe the students' participation in the discussion and debate, as well as their ability to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real-life examples and case studies.?
• Evaluate the students' understanding of the causes, consequences, and solutions of climate change based on their responses to questions and handouts.?
• Provide feedback and guidance to the students as needed to support their learning and development.?

Extension activities:?

• Assign a research project or presentation on a specific aspect of climate change (e.g., the impact of climate change on a particular region, the politics of climate change, the psychology of climate change).?
• Organize a field trip or guest speaker event that exposes the students to real-life initiatives and actions to mitigate climate change in their community or region.?
• Encourage the students to participate in extracurricular activities or campaigns that promote climate action and awareness, such as Earth Day, Climate Strike, or Greenpeace.?

Do you have any questions or additional input on this lesson plan??