With GenAI, prompting is key to getting a relevant response.

GenAI is incredibly powerful, but it needs your guidance. Entering a prompt like "summarize this" or "analyze that" will likely lead to sub-par results.

Effective prompting of Large Language Models (LLMs) can significantly enhance the quality of responses and improve overall user experience.

Here is a top 10 list of suggestions for effective prompting:

1. Be Clear and Specific: Clearly state what you want to know or achieve. Ambiguity can lead to vague or off-target responses.

2. Provide Context: Give necessary background information to help the model understand the context of your query. This can be especially important for complex or niche topics.

3. Ask Direct Questions: Direct questions can lead to more precise answers. For example, "What are the benefits of solar energy?" is better than "Tell me about solar energy."

4. Use Examples: If you're looking for a specific type of response, provide an example. For instance, "Can you write a product description like this one: [example]?"

5. Limit Scope: Narrow down your query to focus on specific aspects. Broad questions can lead to lengthy and unfocused answers.

6. Specify Format: If you need the response in a particular format (e.g., bullet points, step-by-step instructions), mention it in your prompt.

7. Iterative Refinement: If the first response isn't quite right, refine your prompt based on the initial output. Use follow-up questions to get closer to your desired answer.

8. Encourage Creativity or Precision: Depending on your needs, you can ask the model to be creative or precise. For example, "Write a creative story about a dragon" vs. "Provide a detailed explanation of quantum computing."

9. Set Constraints: If you need the response to fit certain constraints (e.g., word limit, specific jargon, tone), include these in your prompt. For example, "Explain blockchain in 100 words for a beginner."

10. Use Sequential Prompts: Break down complex queries into a series of simpler questions. This can help in getting more accurate and manageable responses.

Here's an example that creates a summary of a public company quarterly report that has been uploaded, then produces a rather nice draft email. As you see, it is more comprehensive and directive than "summarize the report".

Write a concise and clear summary of <company name here> quarterly report, identifying key industry trends and important takeaways.

Present your findings as a brief memo I can share with my team. The goal of this memo is to keep my team informed about our competitor's performance and help us anticipate potential challenges or opportunities in our industry for the upcoming quarter.

Please include all relevant details in your summary and analysis, focusing on: 1. Major achievements or milestones 2. Financial performance highlights 3. New product or service launches 4. Market trends affecting the industry 5. Potential risks or challenges mentioned 6. Strategic initiatives or partnerships 7. Outlook for the next quarter.

Link to Anthropic Prompt Library