The “cheat sheet” on using special characters, delimiters, and code-like elements in prompts, here are some general guidelines:
- Quotation Marks ( “” ): Useful for specifying exact phrases or instructions. For example, asking the model to “explain the term ‘photosynthesis'” ensures the focus remains on that specific term.
- Brackets ( [] or {} ): These can be used to organize information or to denote optional elements in a prompt.
- Colons and Semicolons: Helpful for structuring complex prompts. A colon can introduce a list or explanation, while a semicolon can separate different parts of a prompt.
- Bullet Points or Numbered Lists: These are great for breaking down tasks or questions into smaller parts, making them easier for the model to understand and respond to sequentially.
- Line Breaks: Use these to separate different parts of a prompt or to structure your prompt into more readable chunks.
- Hyphens or Dashes: Useful for adding additional information or clarification within a prompt.
- Code Formatting ( ` ` ` ): If you’re including code snippets or want the model to recognize something as code, using backticks can be helpful.
- Direct Instructions: Use clear, directive language for specific tasks, such as “Summarize the following paragraph” or “Explain this concept in simple terms”.
- Conditional Statements: Phrases like “If…, then…” can help guide the model’s response in a specific direction.
Remember, the key to effective prompt engineering is clarity and structure. The more clearly you can convey what you want, the better the model can respond. Also, it’s always a good idea to experiment with different prompt styles to see which works best for your specific needs.
