AI Prompt Writing Strategies

Resources used for creating this graphic:Ditch That Textbook - Microsoft AITCEA Blog - ChatGPT Prompts for Busy EducatorsMicrosoft News - The Art of the Prompt: How to Get the Best Out of Generative AI

Be Specific

Provide as much detail as possible and the context intended for that prompt. Especially when generating images. Include different artistic modes, such as sketch, painting, or cartoon. Considers the point of view and lighting. For example, with an image of a baseball stadium, what is the perspective - the stands, the field, or above the stadium? Also, changing the order of words can highlight different features.

Use Natural Language

Write prompts as you would ask a question to another person, using proper grammar and sentence structure.

Consider Tone and Style

Write your prompt using the tone and style you desire in the response. Or specify what tone you’d like the AI to respond in by adding that to your prompt. For example, ask the AI to write in a lighthearted manner, use a professional tone, add humor to the response, etc.

Assign a Role

One of the best ways to get powerful results is to assign a role. For example, if you ask the question, “Explain the workings of the sun to me,” you will most likely get a response that doesn’t really help you much unless you are an astronomer. Ask the same question like this, and the answer will be something you can actually understand: “Assume the role of a primary teacher. Explain the workings of the sun to a class of seven-year-old students”

Specify Length

Do you want a succinct answer or a long tale? You can specify the length — two sentences, for example, or two paragraphs — and guide the model accordingly. And if the chatbot stops before you’re satisfied, you can always prompt it to “go on.”

Specify Output and Format

Provide as much detail as possible and the context intended for that prompt. Especially when generating images. Include different artistic modes, such as sketch, painting, or cartoon. Considers the point of view and lighting. For example, with an image of a baseball stadium, what is the perspective - the stands, the field, or above the stadium? Also, changing the order of words can highlight different features.

Separate Topics

If you want to ask follow-up questions on the same topic, it’s best to keep the current conversation going. When you want to switch topics, hit the “New topic” button. This gives the model a clean slate — it won’t get confused and merge unrelated topics.

Check Facts

One downside of generative AI models is that they can occasionally generate plausible-sounding answers that are, in fact, wrong. Always verify "facts."

Keep Trying

If the first response did not give you the results you were looking for, review these prompt writing strategies, make adjustments, and ask again.