The advent of generative AI has revolutionized the art of content creation. Creators now have access to a powerful suite of tools that can assist with almost any task, from brainstorming ideas to creating illustrations. But while AI tools can produce amazing results, they’re not an easy button. AI can’t read your mind (yet!), so you need to tell it what you want it to do. These instructions are called prompts, and like a sorcerer summoning a demon in a folktale, the correct form of words can make all the difference in the world. This article will help you understand how to get the best results possible from your AI tools.
What is prompt engineering?
‘Prompt engineering’ is basically a fancy term for giving generative AI instructions. The right prompt heightens your chances of getting the right content. The more detail you can provide, the better your results will be. And better results means making a better impression with your readers.
Specific prompts are effective prompts
Specificity is key when it comes to prompt engineering. Imagine a friend has asked you for your famous chocolate cake recipe. You can’t just say “throw some ingredients in a bowl, pour it into a pan, and then pop it into the oven.” Instead, you need to break everything down for the sake of clarity. You have to specify how much of each ingredient to use, how hot the oven needs to be, and how long the cake needs to bake.
The same basic principle holds true for prompt engineering. Consider the following examples:
- Ineffective prompt: "Write about the latest tech news."
This prompt is too broad and lacks direction, which can lead to unfocused content. - Effective prompt: "Write a 500-word analysis of the latest developments in AI technology, focusing on their impact on the financial industry, and provide specific examples."
This prompt is much more specific. It tells the AI exactly what you want, which will result in a far more relevant and targeted piece.
Always craft your prompt with your audience in mind. If you’re giving your chocolate cake recipe to someone who has never baked a cake in their life, you’ll probably have to explain the difference between baking soda and baking powder. But if your recipe recipient is already comfortable in the kitchen, you can leave those details out.
Similar rules apply with prompts. For example:
- For news analysis, an effective prompt might be: "Summarize the key points from the latest industry report on renewable energy, and provide an objective analysis on how these developments could affect policy decisions in the next year."
- For industry updates, a prompt like: "Provide a concise update on recent mergers in the telecommunications sector, including key companies involved and the potential market implications," ensures the AI produces something that’s informative yet succinct.
- For audience-targeted articles, the prompt could specify the audience: "Write a 400-word article explaining the recent changes in digital advertising regulations for small business owners, using simple language and practical examples."
You can include a wide range of instructions in your prompt, specifying things like style, tone, and depth. This helps ensure you’re producing the right content for the right audience. Detailed terminology and a formal tone work great for an in-depth technical analysis, whereas a conversational tone and an engaging hook are probably a better fit for social media-related prompts.
Structuring prompts for different content types
The structure of a prompt can be just as important as the specifics. Here are some tips for crafting prompts across a wide variety of content types:
- News articles and reports: Clarity, structure, and factual accuracy are key here. Focus on including specific details to let the generative AI know that you’re looking for factual narratives. For example: "Write a 600-word news report on the recent advancements in renewable energy, including quotes from industry experts and data from recent studies."
- Opinion pieces: These pieces need to be compelling as well as informative. Encourage the AI to take a stance or explore multiple sides of an issue to draw readers in. A good prompt might look like this: "Write an opinion piece on the impact of social media regulations on free speech, providing arguments both in favor and against these regulations, and conclude with a reasoned opinion."
- Syndication summaries: Brevity and clarity are key here since you’re providing your readers with a TL;DR account of the material. For instance: "Summarize the main points of the latest report on global tech trends in under 200 words, highlighting the implications for small business owners."
Help the AI help you
Generative AI is a powerful tool, but like any tool it needs to be guided by humans to achieve the best results. Unfocused prompts produce unfocused content that your readers probably aren’t going to like. Specificity is key. Including factors like length, tone, and source material in your prompt will help the AI understand what it is you’re looking for. Structural guidance can be helpful, too. By taking all these things into account, you’ll be well positioned to get the most out of your AI tools.
For more information on prompt generation, check out these resources from OpenAI:
About the author,
José Mauricio Duque
