Prompt engineering is the process of designing and constructing prompts or questions using a formula of descriptors, parts of speech, and tone to effectively interact with artificial intelligence conversational models like chatbots and virtual assistants in order to produce a desired output.

If you have been like me since December 2022, you most likely have been completely amazed and immersed in tools like ChatGPT that have brought AI to the mainstream conversation. I have watched hundreds of videos and read countless articles about all the crazy and unique ways individuals have been using ChatGPT.

But those amazing things that individuals have been able to get ChatGPT to do started with an effective prompt, or the instructions given to the popular AI tool.

Writing an effective prompt is the key to interacting with AI tools.

In this article, I am going to break down the most effective way to generate a prompt that will help you get the results you are looking for. But first, I want to touch on why learning prompt engineering is so important.

Why is it Important to Learn How to Speak to AI?

Learning how to communicate effectively with AI systems is important because as AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives and work, the ability to interact with these systems in a natural and intuitive way will become increasingly valuable. This will enable people to more easily access information and services, control technology, and solve problems. Additionally, knowing how to communicate with AI systems can also help people develop a better understanding of how they work, which can lead to more informed and ethical use of AI technology.

Four Elements of a Good Prompt

Now I would like to share with you my recommendation on an effective, simple formula you can use to develop a good prompt. It includes four basic elements, which are:

• Length

• Topic

• Structure

• Style

Length

Length is a great way to start your prompt, as it gives that initial direction of how in-depth the AI tool needs to go to produce the result you are looking for.

Topic

This is obviously the most important element of the formula as it is at the heart of what you are looking to get an answer around. The key is to be as specific as possible.

Structure

This is the different elements you want in the results. This could include the different sections you want or the format of the text (in a table, for example).

Style

This is where you tell the AI the tone want that result in, like professional or written as a high school student. This is where you can also have a little fun if you want. For example, you can tell the AI to create the output with a comedy tone. I like Rodney Dangerfield, so that is a common one for me.

Example of an Engineered Prompt with the Four Main Elements

Below is an example of a prompt that provides details within the four main elements of my formula. This is a basic example, so keep in mind that the more detailed you get in your prompt, the higher quality output you will get! Seriously, when you think you have written a text prompt that is detailed enough, add even more detail!

What are Some Keys to Communicating with ChatGPT?

When communicating with ChatGPT, some key tips to keep in mind are:

• Be clear and concise: Make sure to ask a well-defined and specific question or request, as this makes it easier for the AI to understand and respond accurately.

• Use proper grammar and spelling: This helps the AI understand what you're asking and reduces the chance of misunderstandings.

• Be patient: ChatGPT and the other AI engines on the market are language models, so they still have some limitations in understanding context and answering certain questions. If it doesn’t understand or can't answer your question, try rephrasing or asking for clarification.

• Avoid offensive or inappropriate content: Don’t bother even trying. These tools have been trained to respond to a wide range of topics, but do not respond to offensive or inappropriate content. People already ruined Twitter, let’s keep AI chatbots safe!

• Provide additional context if necessary: Sometimes, a little extra information can help the AI provide a more accurate and helpful response. I can’t stress this enough… be as super detailed as possible in your prompts!