Introduction to prompting basics
A prompt is the start of your interaction with an AI. However, the results of this interaction can vary greatly. The quality of the answers can be improved by using suitable prompt methods and adhering to important rules. We have summarized essential basic information for you and hope you enjoy using the tips and methods for your next prompt.
Important building blocks for clear prompts
The quality of the results you receive from an AI depends largely on how clearly and precisely your instructions, also known as prompts, are formulated. This one-pager presents four central building blocks - sound, content, style and engagement - which help you to create targeted prompts and achieve the desired results.
Each of these building blocks plays a specific role:
Prompt methods
Prompt methods serve as a guide to creating effective prompts to get better results from the AI. There are many such methods, but it is not necessary to know them all. We have summarized some methods in a compact form and present them individually.
Prompt and prompting are not the same thing?
A prompt is the specific input or question that you ask an AI in order to receive a specific answer or action. It is, so to speak, the command or instruction that you give the AI. A well-formulated prompt is clear and precise in order to get the best possible response from the AI.
Prompting , on the other hand, is the process or method by which you create and use these prompts. It covers the techniques and strategies you use to formulate effective and useful prompts. Prompting is therefore the overarching term that describes the entire process of creating and using prompts.
To summarize: A prompt is the specific input, while prompting is the process of creating and using these inputs.
Dos and don'ts when prompting
The result of your conversation with an AI depends heavily on the prompt itself in all its facets. How is it formulated linguistically and stylistically? Are the content and objective clear? In principle, the following applies: The clearer the instructions and communication, the better the output. But your behavior also plays an important role, for example in the way you conduct conversations.
- Formulate clearly and precisely
- Give examples
- Be polite
- Observe punctuation and grammar rules
- Hold a conversation (give feedback, add details, refine the result)
- Check answers
- Have structure, use prompt method (see below)
- Formulate vaguely, unclear
- Contradictory instructions
- Formulate too informally / colloquially
- Changing topics within a conversation
- One-sided “Google queries”
- Trust answers blindly
- Cancel tasks in process
- Unethical / inappropriate formulations