Have you ever used an AI language model and weren’t getting the results you’d hoped for? If so, you’re not alone.

Many people struggle to get the most out of AI language models like ChatGPT or MidJourney, but with the right prompting methods, you can unlock the full potential of AI.

In this article, we’ll explore five ChatGPT prompting methods to help you get better results and take your AI writing experience to the next level.

 

Less is More in ChatGPT Prompts

Before we dive into the five advanced ChatGPT prompting methods, let’s discuss the importance of prompt size. When it comes to ChatGPT, less is more.

ChatGPT has a token limit of 4,000 or approximately 3,000 words. So, it’s essential to consider the prompt size and provide clear instructions for the best results.

Think of prompt size like the space in your closet. If you try to cram too many clothes in, you won’t be able to find what you’re looking for. The same goes for prompts. If you try to fit too much information in, ChatGPT won’t be able to process it all and provide accurate results.

When creating a prompt, it’s important to focus on the essential information. If ChatGPT focuses on what’s most important, it will provide more accurate results. Additionally, provide clear instructions to help guide ChatGPT in the right direction.

 

5 Advanced ChatGPT Prompting Methods

Now, let’s dive into the five advanced ChatGPT prompting methods to help you get stellar results.

 

Technique 1: Assigning a Role to AI in the Prompt – “AI Role-playing”

One helpful technique is to assign a role to AI in the prompt before giving it your task. This technique helps prime AI with an angle and provides specific details and information.

It’s like giving ChatGPT a job or career. You want an expert handling your requests, not a generalist. By assigning a specific role, you’re telling ChatGPT what you need it to do, and it can provide more accurate results.

Example Role-Playing Prompt with ChatGPT

You are a social media marketing expert; please provide five ideas for a new social media campaign.

By assigning the role of “social media marketing expert”, you’re telling ChatGPT to approach the problem from the perspective of someone with social marketing expertise.

 

Technique 2: Single Question and Q&A

The second technique uses standard prompt formats, such as a single question or a Q&A format. With this prompting method, you prime ChatGPT with examples of input–output pairs given as questions and answers. Then you ask it to answer your specific question.

These standardised formats are easy for ChatGPT to understand and can lead to more accurate results. If you think providing additional context or information is needed to get an accurate response, the Q&A format is the way to go.

Question Format ChatGPT Prompt Examples

Here’s an example of a single question prompt:

What are the top three benefits of using ChatGPT for writing?

And here’s an example of a Q&A format prompt:

Question: What are the benefits of using ChatGPT for writing?

Answer: The benefits of using ChatGPT for writing include improved efficiency, higher quality writing, and the ability to generate new ideas.

Using a Q&A format in a prompt is helpful when you want to provide context or give ChatGPT-specific information to work with. For example, suppose you’re asking a question requiring specific knowledge or expertise. In that case, you might provide an answer or additional information ahead of time to help guide ChatGPT in the right direction. It’s a type of priming.

 

Technique 3: Chain of Thought Prompting Method

The third technique is the chain of thought method. By giving an example of the problem you’re trying to solve and explaining how you’d solve it, AI can use the same reasoning in future prompt responses.

Just like you might explain your thought process to a friend, walking ChatGPT through your steps provides it with a clear path to follow. Chain of thought prompting solves complex reasoning problems that aren’t solvable with other standard prompting methods. It’s excellent for increasing the accuracy of math problems, common sense, and reasoning tasks.

Chain of Thought Prompt Examples

Here’s an example prompt:

I need help developing a new blog post idea. I usually start with a brainstorming session and then narrow down my ideas based on what’s most interesting. Can you help me come up with three potential blog post ideas using this method?

By explaining your process, you’re giving ChatGPT a clear framework to work within. It’s definitely the most efficient way to get the same kind of results you’re expecting.

Here are three more examples of chain-of-thought prompting:

Association: Start with a word or phrase and ask yourself what associations come to mind. For instance, if the prompt is “red,” you might think of fire trucks, stop signs, roses, blood, etc. Then, choose one of those associations and ask yourself what comes to mind for that one. This can help you explore ideas and concepts related to the original prompt.

We are going to practice association. I’ll start by giving you a word or phrase, and then you give me a list of associations for that word or phrase. For example, if the prompt is “red,” you might think of fire trucks, stop signs, roses, blood, and so on. Ready?

ChatGPT Training – AI Artist AcademyChatGPT Output…

 

Chain of Thought Prompt – Association

Cause and Effect: Start with a statement that describes a cause or effect, give some examples for ChatGPT to learn from, and then tell it to continue this process to explore the different causes and effects of the original prompt.

Comparison and Contrast: Start with two things that are similar or different and ask ChatGPT what else is similar or different about them.

For example, if the prompt is “dogs and cats,” you might start by comparing their behaviour:

“Dogs are often more social than cats.” Then, ask yourself what else is similar or different about their behaviour, such as “Cats are more independent and self-sufficient.”

You can continue this process to explore the similarities and differences between the two things in the prompt.

 

Technique 4: Zero-Shot Chain of Thought Method

The fourth advanced type of ChatGPT prompt is the zero-shot chain of thought method. This approach involves including the “step by step” instructions within your prompt so that ChatGPT can understand the process.

The zero-shot chain of thought method is like following a recipe. We break down the problem or request into smaller steps. ChatGPT then has a clear and concise path to follow.

Examples Zero-Shot Chain of Thought Prompt

We can do this in two ways; asking ChatGPT to think about our question step-by-step or listing the steps as examples.

1. Let’s think about this step-by-step:
Stan works 165 days a year. He missed 20 days. What’s the percentage of days that he worked? Let’s think about this step-by-step.

ChatGPT Training – AI Artist AcademyChatGPT Output…

Zero Shot Chain of Though Prompt – Lets think step-by-step

2. Feed ChatGPT the steps as an example to follow:

Step 1: Identify the main problem with my content marketing campaign.
Step 2: Brainstorm potential solutions to the problem.
Step 3: Evaluate each solution based on its feasibility and potential impact.
Step 4: Choose the best solution and provide a detailed implementation plan.

 

Technique 5: Feedback Challenge Mode

The fifth and final advanced prompting method is the “feedback challenge mode.” Challenge AI-generated ideas and content and have ChatGPT criticise itself or any input text. It’s an excellent way to refine and perfect the generated results to create the best possible version.

Feedback Challenge Method Examples:

Write a poem about being offended.

ChatGPT Training – AI Artist AcademyChatGPT Output…

Offended

The words that sting,
the slight that cuts,
the insult that burns,
the tone that shuts.

Offended, we feel,
our hearts heavy and sore,
our minds reeling,
our self-worth unsure.

The anger and hurt,
the desire for retribution,
the need for validation,
the search for resolution.

But what if we paused,
took a breath and a beat,
and considered the source,
of the words we meet.

For often the offender,
is wounded and lost,
their own pain and fear,
a high and heavy cost.

So let us be gentle,
in our response and our view,
acknowledging the hurt,
but seeing the person too.

For to be offended,
is a natural part of life,
but how we respond,
can ease or deepen the strife.

May we choose kindness,
and empathy as our guide,
and in doing so,
heal both sides.

Pretty good, I’d say! Let’s see what ChatGPT thinks by asking it:

Please provide feedback on the quality of the poem. Critique grammar, sentence structure, and overall coherence.

ChatGPT Training – AI Artist AcademyChatGPT Output…

The poem “Offended” is well-structured and adheres to traditional poetic conventions. The poem comprises four stanzas, each with four lines, and the rhyme scheme is consistent throughout. The grammar and sentence structure are also sound, with clear and concise language used throughout the poem.

The poem’s overall coherence is strong, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a cohesive narrative about the experience of being offended. The poem explores the emotional impact of offense and the importance of responding with kindness and empathy while also acknowledging the complexity of the situation and the potential pain and fear of the offender.

Overall, the poem is well-written and effectively communicates its message.

Another Feedback Challenge Example:

Want a personal writing coach? Ask ChatGPT to critique your writing for helpful feedback.

Please provide feedback on the quality of my writing. Critique my grammar, sentence structure, and overall coherence.

Better yet, combine both the AI role-playing and feedback challenge methods:

You are a New York Times executive editor. Please provide feedback on the quality of my writing. Critique my grammar, sentence structure, and overall coherence. [Paste your content here]

By challenging ChatGPT to critique your writing, you’re getting valuable feedback that can help you improve your skills and get better results in the future.

 

Key Takeaways

Implementing these five advanced ChatGPT prompting methods can unlock the full potential of this powerful tool and help you become a better prompt engineer.

Remember to:

• Keep prompts concise
• Provide clear instructions
• Refine the output and ideas that ChatGPT generates for you
• Prime ChatGPT ahead of time if there are specific details you want to include in your outcome
• And most importantly, don’t be afraid to experiment! You can become a ChatGPT expert and get better results than most users.

So, why not try these techniques and see how they work for you? Who knows, you might just be surprised by the quality of the results you get!

Article by AI Artist Academy