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It's all in the prompt!
It's all in the prompt!
A key element in getting high quality output from a GenAI tool, a prompt is the question asked or task given to a tool and is most often made in text format. Many tools now allow users to prompt by voice as well as to include images and documents in a variety of formats.
The type and extent of prompt needed will vary by task. If you're looking for a quick idea, a brief prompt may be enough. For more complex task, a detailed and structured prompt will be needed.
To start, the following general guidelines can be helpful:
Interact with these tools like you would a person
Be descriptive and as specific as possible
Remember to RAPP
Remember to RAPP
Keep in mind the RAPP format ( Role, Action, Parameters, Product) when creating prompts.
R is for ROLE. What role do you want the tool to take on?
Think of it this way, if you could ask anyone for help with something, who would you ask? What skills and knowledge would they need to help? What would they be an expert in?
You are a...poet...research assistant...editor.
Be a...soccer coach....chemist...data analyst.
Act like an expert in ...topic.
Use your expertise in ...topic.
A is for ACTION. What do you want to do? Ask your question or assign your task.
Start with an action verb like:
Analyze...Annotate...Answer...Brainstorm...Classify...Code...Compare...Compose...Correlate...Critique...Design... Debug...Describe...Develop...Diagnose...Elaborate...Evaluate...Explain...Formulate...Forecast...Hypothesize... Imagine...Infer...Interpret...List...Optimize...Personalize...Prototype...Refine...Research...Simulate...Storyboard... Summarize...Translate... Translate...Visualize...Write...and many more.
The above listed was created listed alphabetically using Google Gemini
P is for PARAMETERS. What additional details would be helpful?
Keep in mind details such as how this information will be applied. It may be useful to state any existing standards, guidelines, laws, practices, demographics, time periods, geographical areas, intended audience, etc.
Depending on the task and parameters, output may be improved by including instructions to double check work or work step-by-step. Another way to get improved results is to include of an example of the type of output you are looking for.
Many tools now support file uploads alongside prompts so you could include an existing sample of content.
The last P is for PRODUCT. What are we making? What kind of data do we want?
Do we only want text? What tone should we use? What is our audience level? What language? Would a glossary of terms be useful? If you aren't sure, just start somewhere and adjust. Iteration is required when prompting.
Do we want imagery? Depending on the tool being used, you may be able to create some as well.
Are we working with data? Do you want it graphed? In tables?
Some tools are also able to output in pdf, Excel, Python, or other data formats.
At this point, it's important to state that users must remember to verify any data produced by GenAI tools. Do not assume any information is 100% accurate.
At this point, it's important to state that users must remember to verify any data produced by GenAI tools. Do not assume any information is 100% accurate.
Need help improving your prompts?
Some tools can help you improve your prompts. For example, both ChatGPT and Copilot Chat can help with this. Click below for help improving your prompts, or contact the SCTL.
Prompt Libraries
Not sure where to start with prompts, below are some links to prompt libraries. Feel free to use, edit, or use these prompts as a guide to creating your own.
Resources for Advanced Prompting
Below are also additional resources available to help you learn more about the 'science' behind prompting.
Want help with prompting? Book a 1on1 with the SCTL.
Images on this page were created using Google Gemini.
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