Prompt engineering may seem like a new and specialised technical role that emerged in the wake of ChatGPT’s release along all the other AI tools. Although it appears highly technical, it primarily involves eliciting responses or generating outputs from a language model. Since language models like ChatGPT accepts natural language commands and produce corresponding responses, prompt engineering mainly entails using language effectively to query the model in other to yield the desired output.
If you plan to use ChatGPT for fun or as a career choice, it is essential to be familiar with specific keywords to maximise the benefits of this language model. In this article, I will highlight ten commonly known keywords and ten lesser-known yet useful ones. Additionally, I will share a few examples of complex ChatGPT prompts from experts.
Write:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to create original content on a given topic. Example: “Write a short story about a time-travelling adventurer.”
Define:
Use this prompt when you need ChatGPT to define a term or concept. Example: “Define machine learning.”
Rewrite:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to rephrase a given text, either for clarity or to change the tone. Example: “Rewrite the following sentence in a formal tone: ‘Hey, can you send me those files ASAP?'”
Search:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to find specific information on a topic or answer a question. Example: “Search for the key benefits of electric cars.”
List:
Use this prompt when you need ChatGPT to generate a list of items, ideas, or steps. Example: “List the main causes of climate change.”
Explain:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to provide a detailed explanation of a concept or process. Example: “Explain how photosynthesis works.”
Summarise:
Use this prompt when you need ChatGPT to condense a large amount of information into a concise summary. Example: “Summarise the plot of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.'”
Brainstorm:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to generate creative ideas or solutions to a problem. Example: “Brainstorm ideas for a team-building activity.”
Analyse:
Use this prompt when you need ChatGPT to evaluate or interpret a piece of information, such as a text, data, or a situation. Example: “Analyse the key themes in the poem ‘The Road Not Taken.'”
Code:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to provide programming code or help you solve a coding problem. Example: “Code a Python function to calculate the factorial of a number.”
Translate:
Use this prompt when you need ChatGPT to translate text from one language to another. Example: “Translate the following sentence to French: ‘The weather is beautiful today.'”
The keywords below are are some of the lesser-known but useful keywords any prompt Engineer must incorporate in their toolkit for effective ChatGPT prompting;
Elaborate:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to provide more information or details on a given topic. Example: “Elaborate on the economic impact of artificial intelligence.”
Compare:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to highlight similarities and differences between two or more concepts, items, or situations. Example: “Compare the advantages and disadvantages of solar power and wind power.”
Suggest:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to offer recommendations or advice. Example: “Suggest some effective study techniques for college students.”
Visualise:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to describe a scene, image, or concept in a vivid and detailed manner. Example: “Visualise a futuristic city with advanced technology.”
Outline:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to provide a structured overview of a topic or plan. Example: “Outline the process of starting an online business.”
Critique:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to assess the quality of a work or idea and provide constructive feedback. Example: “Critique the effectiveness of this marketing strategy.”
Hypothesise:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to make an educated guess or propose a theory. Example: “Hypothesise what the future of transportation might look like.”
Paraphrase:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to express a given text in different words while retaining the original meaning. Example: “Paraphrase the following quote: ‘To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.'”
Narrate:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to tell a story or describe a sequence of events. Example: “Narrate a day in the life of an astronaut on the International Space Station.”
Predict:
Use this prompt when you want ChatGPT to anticipate future events, trends, or outcomes based on available information. Example: “Predict the potential implications of widespread autonomous vehicle adoption.”
Finally, here are some of the more complex prompts that have been used on ChatGPT.
- Design a hypothetical experiment to determine if listening to classical music while studying improves memory retention, outlining the methodology, variables, control measures, and possible limitations.
- Analyse the interconnected roles of individualism, collectivism, and socioeconomic factors in shaping cultural differences between Eastern and Western societies, drawing upon historical context and contemporary examples.
- Develop a comprehensive business strategy for a startup that combines sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and community development, addressing target markets, partnerships, potential challenges, and social impact.
- Propose a multi-disciplinary approach to combat climate change, integrating the roles of government, private sector, and civil society, as well as technological innovations and behavioural changes required to achieve substantial progress.
- Explain the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and machine learning in decision-making processes, considering potential biases, accountability, transparency, privacy, and the impact on human autonomy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, prompt engineering is about leveraging effective commands to maximise the potential of language models like ChatGPT. To truly benefit from these models, users must deeply understand a subject matter to generate complex prompts that will get the most out of ChatGPT, which are nuanced, well-structured, and comprehensive responses. The more knowledge you have in a particular field, the better equipped you will be to create complex prompts and evaluate the accuracy and relevance of the responses generated by ChatGPT.
For individuals considering a career in prompt engineering, it is important to note that this skill set can be valuable within your current industry without an incentive to switch careers – for now. However, by mastering the art of crafting effective prompts and understanding the intricacies of language models, you can enhance your existing expertise and contribute to a wide range of applications and projects across various domains.
