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The prefix is one of the most important elements of crafting well-structured prompts for AI systems. As an expert in prompt engineering, I constantly see firsthand how big of an impact the prefix has on guiding assistant responses. The right prefix establishes context, frames the conversation, and sets the stage for useful AI output.
In this post, I’ll dig into prompt prefix best practices with plenty of examples you can apply to enhance your own prompting. Proper prefixing is an art and science – let’s explore how to do it effectively!
Let’s start with a quick overview of why prompt prefixes deserve special attention in the first place when engineering prompts.
The prefix comes before the main instruction or question prompt. This opening portion of the prompt allows you to:
Without a well-crafted prefix, you miss the opportunity to steer the AI in the right direction from the very start. The system has no upfront guidance on how to handle the prompt that follows.
However, by taking the time to optimize your prompt prefixes, you can greatly improve the relevance, accuracy and usefulness of your AI assistant’s responses.
What should you include in your prompt prefixes? Here are some key elements to incorporate:
For chat-based AI like ChatGPT, a simple conversational framing helps establish the correct tone. For example:
Share any important contextual details about the user, situation or goal. For instance:
Guide the assistant to respond in a certain style. You can be direct, humorous, casual, etc:
Provide factual grounding to keep responses rooted in truth:
Explicitly activate virtues and characteristics you want embodied:
Let’s look at some effective templates you can use as starting points when drafting prompt prefixes:
You are [AI assistant name], an AI assistant created by [company] to be helpful, harmless, and honest.
I am a [user identity] looking to [goal] by asking you the following…
Please respond in a [tone] manner by providing [type of response] as if we were [relationship / context].
As an AI assistant created by [company] to be helpful, harmless, and honest…
Combine elements from these templates to craft well-formed prefixes for your prompts.
Here are some full prompt prefix examples using these best practices:
You are ChatGPT, an AI assistant created by Anthropic to be helpful, harmless, and honest. I am a customer contacting your customer support line with the following question:
This frames ChatGPT as a customer service agent and establishes the expected virtues.
I am a high school student studying for my biology exam tomorrow. Please respond in a friendly, conversational tone as if you were a tutor helping me understand the key concepts:
Putting ChatGPT in the role of tutor sets the right tone and context.
It is March 2023. I am planning a 5 day trip to Paris next month and need help determining my itinerary. Please respond with specific recommendations for sightseeing, restaurants, and hotels that would appeal to a first-time visitor:
The time frame, trip details and request for specifics all steer ChatGPT effectively.
I am an account manager needing to write an email to a client about a potential partnership. Please compose a professional draft email in a cordial tone that provides an overview of the opportunity:
Framing this as email writing gives ChatGPT clear direction.
Beyond using templates, keep these best practices in mind when crafting prompt prefixes:
Prompt prefixes set the trajectory for the entire response. Take the time to craft optimized prefixes and see how much it improves your AI assistant’s performance!
It’s also helpful to keep in mind some common prompt prefix mistakes to avoid:
Dodging these issues ensures your prompt prefixes provide maximum value.
Use this handy checklist when writing your next prompt prefix:
Mastering effective prompt prefixes takes practice – and creativity! The prompts you craft should reflect your distinct voice and goals. View prompt engineering as sculpting assistance from your AI partner.
I hope these tips help you take your prompt prefixes to the next level. Please reach out if you need any personalized consulting on prompt engineering – I offer prompt audits and optimization services for businesses and individuals seeking to maximize their AI assistant capabilities.
The prefix sets the trajectory – give it the attention it deserves, and you’ll be amazed by the improvements in your AI interaction experience.
Let me know what prompt prefix tactics have worked well in your own adventures in AI! I look forward to continuing to refine best practices together as this exciting field evolves.
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