I write about AI — here are my top 5 ChatGPT prompt tips | Tom's ...
Get more out ChatGPT and other AI models with these 5 game-changing prompting tips. While using tools like ChatGPT doesn’t involve rocket science, it does make you an engineer of sorts. Creating the perfect AI prompt is part art, part science — it’s about crafting creative yet logical inputs that get a chatbot to respond in a way that’s actually useful to you.
If you already have an understanding of how chatbots like ChatGPT work, you definitely have an edge when it comes to knowing how to phrase your prompts. Even if you don’t have a technical background, you needn’t worry. Treat ChatGPT as a creative partner and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. A curious mindset — along with a bit of trial and error — can take you a long way.
Prompt Engineering
Prompt engineering is the process of writing clear and effective instructions for an AI model so that it consistently gives you the kind of results you want. Some universal principles still apply. Just like owning the best camera phone won’t guarantee better photos than a pro with basic gear, paying for a premium chatbot doesn’t automatically mean better results.
The same goes for chatbots. Paying for a premium account of one of the best chatbots does give you access to the latest features, but knowing how to use it properly is what turns your results from good to great.
Understanding the Models
It's a good idea to take some time to get to know the different models your favorite chatbot offers. They might seem similar at first glance, but differences in how they're trained and fine-tuned can affect how well they respond to certain types of prompts.
Recently, I tested the logical reasoning ability of ChatGPT. If you feel like you’re not getting the right responses to your queries, check whether there’s another model that’s more suited to the kind of task you’re trying to complete.
Providing Context
From my years on the college debate team, one training slide has always stuck with me. It read: "What you said is not what I heard." This is a principle I apply across the board in my prompts, regardless of whether I’m using ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude.
If you want to set up your AI model like ChatGPT for success, providing it with as much context as possible is one of the best ways you can do that. Start by assigning a role to your chatbot and explaining what task you’d like it to perform. Then start shaping the context by including specific details.
Clear and Specific Language
Vague prompts often produce vague results. When you use clear, specific language, you give the chatbot a much better chance of understanding what you want. That way, it can either deliver — or show you where it falls short.
