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      • Start with ChatGPT
      • Account Settings
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  • AI Concepts
    • Context
    • Tokenization
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    • Safety Layers
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    • Prompt Templates
    • Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
  • Introduction to Prompting
    • Beginner's Prompting Strategies
      • Understanding the Purpose of a Prompt
      • Be Specific and Clear
      • Using Contextual Information
      • Direct vs. Open-Ended Prompts
      • Step-by-Step Instructions
      • Role-Based Prompts
      • Sequential Prompts
      • Multi-Step Questions
      • Incorporating Examples
    • Common Prompting Mistakes to Avoid
      • Being Too Vague or Ambiguous
      • Overloading with Multiple Questions
      • Ignoring Context Limitations
      • Not Specifying the Desired Output
      • Lack of Iteration and Refinement
      • Neglecting to Set the Right Tone or Role
      • Using Jargon or Complex Language Unnecessarily
      • Ignoring Feedback from the AI
      • Overly Long or Short Prompts
      • Page 6
      • Page 5
      • Page 4
      • Page 3
      • Page 2
      • Page 1
    • Output Formatting Techniques
      • Using Headings and Subheadings
      • Bulleted and Numbered Lists
      • Paragraph Structure
      • Tables and Charts
      • Direct Answers vs. Detailed Explanations
      • Incorporating Summaries and Conclusions
    • Leveraging Formatting for Clarity
      • Highlighting Key Points
      • Guiding the AI on Tone and Style
      • Requesting Examples or Case Studies
      • Formatting for Different Audiences
      • Using Questions to Clarify Information
      • Prompting for Step-by-Step Guides
      • Customizing Responses for Presentation or Reports
      • Avoiding Over-Complicated Formatting
  • Types of Prompts
    • Direct Prompts
    • Instructional Prompts
    • Conversational Prompts
    • Contextual Prompts
    • Example-Based Prompts
    • Reflective or Feedback Prompts
    • Multi-Step Prompts
    • Open-Ended Prompts
    • Role-Based Prompts
    • Comparative Prompts
    • Conditional Prompts
    • Summarization prompts
    • Exploratory Prompts
    • Problem-Solving Prompts
    • Clarification Prompts
    • Sequential Prompts
    • Hypothetical Prompts
    • Ethical or Judgment-Based Prompts
    • Diagnostic Prompts
    • Instructional design prompts
    • Page 8
    • Page 7
  • Advanced Prompting Techniques
    • Zero-Shot
    • Few-Shot
    • Chain-of-Thought
    • Meta Prompting
    • Self-Consistency
    • Generated Knowledge
    • Prompt Chaining
    • Tree of Thoughts (ToT)
    • Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
    • Automatic Prompt Engineer (APE)
    • Active Prompt
    • Directional Stimulus
  • Live Examples
    • Legal
      • Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)
      • Employment Contract
      • Lease Agreement
      • Service Agreement
      • Sales Agreement
    • Zero-Shot Prompting
    • Few-Shot Prompting
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  1. Introduction to Prompting
  2. Common Prompting Mistakes to Avoid

Not Specifying the Desired Output

Failing to state what kind of response you want can lead to mismatched answers. For instance, if you ask, “What are the benefits of meditation?” the AI might provide a broad paragraph when you want a quick list. Specify the format to match your needs: “List the top five benefits of meditation.” Clearly stating your desired output, whether it’s a summary, list, or detailed explanation, helps the AI deliver in the way that best suits your purpose.

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Last updated 5 months ago