Distinguishing content from instruction
Distinguish between the instructions you are giving and the content you are asking for by using the following formatting cues:
NOTE! \n = new line, and \n\n = two new lines
1. Use of Square Brackets [ ]
Purpose: Encapsulate specific terms or phrases you want the model to focus on or treat as variables.
Example: "Explain the significance of [keyword]."
2. New Lines or Paragraphs
Purpose: Separate instructions from content or different parts of the instruction to enhance readability.
Example: "Summarise the following text:\n\n[Text block]"
3. Triple Inverted Commas ``` or Quotation Marks " "
Purpose: Differentiate between instructions and direct quotations or examples of text/code.
Example: "Translate this to French: Bonjour, comment ça va?"
4. Bullet Points or Numbered Lists
Purpose: Break down instructions or content elements into clearer, more digestible pieces.
Example: "List the steps for:\n- Preparing tea\n- Serving it properly"
5. Using Prefaces Like 'Instruction:' and 'Content:'
Purpose: Explicitly label different sections of your input to clarify which parts are instructions and which are content.
Example: "Instruction: Summarize the content below.\nContent: [Detailed paragraph]"
6. Directive Phrases
Purpose: Begin your input with phrases that explicitly state the action you want ChatGPT to take.
Example: "Analyse the following data..."
7. Using Headers for Different Sections
Purpose: Organize your prompt into clearly defined sections, especially useful for complex or multi-part instructions.
Example: "Background Information:\n[Details]\n\nQuestion:\n[Specific question]"
NOTE! \n = new line, and \n\n = two new lines
1. Use of Square Brackets [ ]
Purpose: Encapsulate specific terms or phrases you want the model to focus on or treat as variables.
Example: "Explain the significance of [keyword]."
2. New Lines or Paragraphs
Purpose: Separate instructions from content or different parts of the instruction to enhance readability.
Example: "Summarise the following text:\n\n[Text block]"
3. Triple Inverted Commas ``` or Quotation Marks " "
Purpose: Differentiate between instructions and direct quotations or examples of text/code.
Example: "Translate this to French: Bonjour, comment ça va?"
4. Bullet Points or Numbered Lists
Purpose: Break down instructions or content elements into clearer, more digestible pieces.
Example: "List the steps for:\n- Preparing tea\n- Serving it properly"
5. Using Prefaces Like 'Instruction:' and 'Content:'
Purpose: Explicitly label different sections of your input to clarify which parts are instructions and which are content.
Example: "Instruction: Summarize the content below.\nContent: [Detailed paragraph]"
6. Directive Phrases
Purpose: Begin your input with phrases that explicitly state the action you want ChatGPT to take.
Example: "Analyse the following data..."
7. Using Headers for Different Sections
Purpose: Organize your prompt into clearly defined sections, especially useful for complex or multi-part instructions.
Example: "Background Information:\n[Details]\n\nQuestion:\n[Specific question]"
My two - very often used - meta prompts
- Acknowledge that you have understood my instructions. Do nothing else!
- Ask me questions one a time so that you grasp the whole topic/situation before writing the mail/papar/etc
- Bekräfta att du har förstått mina instruktioner. Gör inget annat!
- Ställ frågor en i taget så att du förstår hela ämnet/situationen innan du skriver mejlet/papperet/etc.
Effective prompt phrases
- Do nothing yet! Acknowledge your understanding of my question about [topic]?
- Can you break down the explanation into simpler terms, focusing on [specific aspect]?
- Provide an example that illustrates the concept of [concept].
- What are some common misconceptions about [topic], and why are they incorrect?
- Compare and contrast [concept A] and [concept B], highlighting key differences.
- If I wanted to learn more about [topic], what resources or steps would you recommend?
- Based on my goal of [goal], what strategy would you suggest I follow?
- Can you list the pros and cons of [decision or choice]?
- Explain the impact of [event or technology] on [industry or field].
- How has [topic] evolved over time, and what are the current trends?
Categories of prompts: interacting & responding
1. Clarification Requests
2. Deep Dives
3. Creative Exploration
4. Problem-Solving
5. Personalized Learning
6. Feedback and Improvement
7. Interactive Dialogue
8. Guidance and Advice
9. Ideation and Brainstorming
10. Factual and Historical Information
- Prompts: "Please clarify what you mean by [specific term/concept]."
These prompts are designed to seek more information or clarification on a particular point, ensuring the AI fully understands the query.
2. Deep Dives
- Prompts: "Explain [concept] in detail, including [specific aspects]." Use these when you want a thorough exploration or detailed explanation of a topic.
3. Creative Exploration
- Prompts: "Imagine if [scenario]. How would that change [aspect]?" Ideal for stimulating creative thinking and exploring hypothetical scenarios.
4. Problem-Solving
- Prompts: "Here's a problem I'm facing [describe problem]. What are some potential solutions?" These prompts help in brainstorming solutions or getting advice on specific issues.
5. Personalized Learning
- Prompts: "Teach me about [topic] as if I'm a beginner." Tailored for educational purposes, focusing on learning new topics from scratch or deepening understanding.
6. Feedback and Improvement
- Prompts: "Can you review this piece of text and suggest improvements?" Use these to solicit feedback on written work or ideas, with the aim of refinement.
7. Interactive Dialogue
- Prompts: "Ask me questions to better understand my needs regarding [topic]." Encourages a two-way conversation, making the AI ask questions for clarity or depth.
8. Guidance and Advice
- Prompts: "What are the best practices for [activity or skill]?" Suitable for seeking guidance or advice on specific activities, skills, or decisions.
9. Ideation and Brainstorming
- Prompts: "List all the possible applications of [technology, concept]." When you're looking for new ideas or brainstorming potential uses for something.
10. Factual and Historical Information
- Prompts: "Provide a summary of [event, concept] including key figures and dates." When you need concise, factual information about historical events, concepts, or public figures.