Prompt engineering is an essential aspect of working with Generative AI LLMs such as ChatGPT. A helpful analogy for creating effective prompts is to treat the AI like you would a child or a junior employee. What would be the characteristics of a child who was trying to perform your work? Likely to head off in the wrong direction, make errors, make incorrect assumptions, use less than optimal methods, head down blind alleys that were avoidable, get distracted, and turn in work without trying too hard (perhaps because they don’t know how).

Here are the top 12 ways to apply this concept, each paired with one or two sample prompts that will help you make your AI friend act like a grown-up. Better results guaranteed.

1. Clarity is key

“Please write a summary of this article focusing on the key points.”

2. List the steps (a.k.a. chain of thought prompts)

“Step 1: Define your goals. Step 2: Identify your target audience. Step 3: Develop a marketing strategy.”

3. Incremental prompting (assess at each step)

“Start by listing the key features of the product.

[Review]

“Now, describe the benefits of each feature.”

4. Provide examples to follow

“Here is an example of a project summary: [Insert Example]. Now, write a similar summary for your project.”

5. Positive reinforcement

“Great job on that analysis! I especially like… Now, can you expand on the implications?”

NOTE: Yes, this actually works.

6. Emphasize through repetition

“Remember, the key point here is sustainability. Sustainability should be the focus. Keep sustainability in mind.”

7. Encourage questions

“If any part of this task is unclear, please ask for more details.”

“Ask me five questions that will help you provide a better response.”

8. Provide context

“We already met Janice from XYZ Co and she is interested in hearing from us again. She particularly liked ABC. Write an email to her requesting a 90-minute in-person review.”

9. Show your work

“Explain the methodology you used to arrive at this conclusion.”

“Show each step in the process you use to calculate the answer.”

10. Check your work!

“Review the data for accuracy before submitting the report.”

“Verify the sources of your information to confirm their reliability.”

11. Set boundaries

“Write a report on renewable energy, but do not discuss nuclear power.”

12. Spark creativity with open-ended questions

“Develop a unique marketing strategy for a new product launch.”

BONUS: Play pretend to provide focus

“Act as the Chief Marketing Officer of XYZ Company and provide your top concerns and objections on the attached pitch for our digital targeting service. Suggest mitigation strategies we can use to preempt the objections.”

By applying these 12 principles, you can enhance you will reduce hallucinations, increase the depth of responses, and improve overall quality.