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From Novice to Pro: 13 Prompting Hacks That Will Revolutionize Your AI Experience

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13 Highly Effective Prompting Techniques

Drawing insights from advanced strategies to make AI understand and perform better, here are 13 simplified techniques suitable for a wide audience.

1. Be Clear and Direct

Direct instructions lead to better AI responses, similar to guiding a new team member.

  • Example: “Remove names and addresses from this message: [Your message here].”

2. Use Examples

Examples help AI understand your expectations better.

  • Example: “Turn sentences like ‘I ate an apple’ into questions. Example: Did I eat an apple?”

3. Split Big Tasks into Smaller Steps

Breaking down tasks makes them more manageable for AI.

  • Example: “To write an essay on climate change, start with defining climate change, list its causes, discuss effects, and then suggest solutions.”

4. Give AI a Role

Assigning roles to AI can focus and enhance its answers.

  • Example: “As a history expert, explain the causes of World War II.”

5. Use the ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Approach

Requesting demonstrations can be more informative.

  • Example: “Show me how to solve a math problem step by step, don’t just tell me the answer.”

6. Chain of Thought (CoT)

Encourage AI to process information step by step.

  • Example: “Explain step by step how to calculate interest on a savings account.”

7. Focus AI’s Attention

Highlight the most important parts of your question.

  • Example: “Focus on the main events of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency. Start with his election.”

8. Encourage Creativity

Challenge AI to generate unique ideas.

  • Example: “Imagine a world where cars fly. Describe a day in this world.”

9. Self-Reflection

Ask AI to review and potentially improve its answers.

  • Example: “Review the steps you gave for solving the math problem. Can you find a simpler way?”

10. Anticipate Needs

Frame questions to get both answers and helpful insights.

  • Example: “I’m visiting Paris. What should I see, and what weather should I prepare for?”

11. Contrast and Compare

Comparisons can clarify concepts more effectively.

  • Example: “Compare the health benefits of running and swimming.”

12. Build on Previous Answers

Use AI’s past responses as a foundation for further questions.

  • Example: “Based on your explanation of photosynthesis, how does it affect the earth’s atmosphere?”

13. Seek Feedback Within the Conversation

Allow AI to ask for clarifications to refine its answers.

  • Example: “If you need more details to recommend a book, feel free to ask me about my interests.”