Prompting that works

Context, examples, constraints and iteration.

What it is

Prompting is briefing a very capable collaborator who knows nothing about your situation. Good prompts give context, a clear task, examples of what good looks like, and constraints.

Why it matters

The gap between a vague prompt and a well-briefed one is usually bigger than the gap between two models.

Key ideas

• Say who it's for, what it's for and what format you need.
• Show an example of the output you want.
• Ask it to ask you questions before it starts.
• Iterate: critique the draft and ask for a revision.

Try it: Rewrite a lazy prompt

1. Start with “summarize this article.”
2. Rewrite it with audience, purpose, length and format.
3. Add one example of a summary you like.
4. Compare the two outputs side by side.