How to Write Prompts That Actually Work

I always share the exact prompts for different tasks with you.

But today’s post is a bit different.

As today I am sharing with you some ways or strategies by which you can make your own prompts according to your tasks

And no, you don’t need any previous tech or writing experience for this.

So, Let’s see!

Strategies for Writing Better Prompts

1. Set Clear Goals and Objectives

Use action verbs to specify the desired action

Prompt Example: “Write a bulleted list that summarizes the key findings of the attached research paper.”

Define the desired length and format of the output

Prompt Example: “Compose a 500-word essay discussing the impact of climate change on coastal communities.”

Specify the target audience

Prompt Example: “Write a product description for a new line of organic skincare products, targeting young adults concerned with sustainability.”

2. Provide Context and Background Information

Include relevant facts and data

Prompt Example: “Given that global temperatures have risen by 1 degree Celsius since the pre-industrial era, discuss the potential consequences for sea level rise.”

Reference specific sources or documents

Prompt Example: “Based on the attached financial report, analyze the company’s profitability over the past five years.”

Define key terms and concepts

Prompt Example: “Explain the concept of quantum computing in simple terms, suitable for a non-technical audience.”

3. Use Few-Shot Prompting

Provide a few examples of desired input-output pairs

Prompt Example:

Input: “Cat” → Output: “A small furry mammal with whiskers.”

Input: “Dog” → Output: “A domesticated canine known for its loyalty.

Demonstrate the desired style or tone

Prompt Example:

Humorous: “The politician’s speech was so dull, it could cure insomnia.”

Formal: “The dignitary delivered an address that was both informative and engaging.”

Prompt: “Write a sentence describing the comedian’s stand-up routine.”

Show the desired level of detail

Prompt Example:

Brief: “The movie was about a young boy who befriends an alien.”

Detailed: “The science fiction film follows the story of Elliot, a lonely boy who discovers and forms a unique bond with an extraterrestrial stranded on Earth.”

Prompt: “Summarize the plot of the novel you just finished reading.”

4. Be Specific

Use precise language and avoid ambiguity

Prompt Example:

Instead of: “Write something about climate change”

Use: “Write a persuasive essay arguing for the implementation of stricter carbon emission regulations.”

Quantify your requests whenever possible

Prompt Example:

Instead of: “Write a long poem”

Use: “Write a sonnet with 14 lines that explores themes of love and loss.”

Break down complex tasks into smaller steps

Prompt Example:

Instead of: “Create a marketing plan”

Use: Identify the target audience, Develop key marketing messages, Choose appropriate marketing channels

5. Iterate and Experiment

Try different phrasings and keywords

Rephrase your prompt using synonyms or alternative sentence structures.

Adjust the level of detail and specificity

Add or remove information to fine-tune the output.

Test different prompt lengths

Experiment with both shorter and longer prompts to find the optimal balance.

6. Leverage Chain of Thought Prompting

Encourage step-by-step reasoning

Prompt Example: “Solve this problem step-by-step: John has 5 apples, he eats 2. How many apples does he have left? Step 1: John starts with 5 apples. Step 2: He eats 2 apples, so we need to subtract 2 from 5. Step 3: 5–2 = 3. Answer: John has 3 apples left.”

Ask the model to explain its reasoning process

Prompt Example: “Explain your thought process in determining the sentiment of this movie review: ‘The acting was superb, but the plot was predictable.’”

Guide the model through a logical sequence of thought

Prompt Example: “To classify this email as spam or not spam, consider the following:

Is the sender known?

Does the subject line contain suspicious keywords?

Is the email offering something too good to be true?”

Conclusion

Now, I hope you learned or at least understood the basics of prompt writing.

If you try any of these ways, feel free share with me your results.