Principles of Prompting:

This simple guide is designed to give you some guidance on constructing prompts that will
help you to get the most out of Generative AI tools.

Each principle has a definition for clarity, and an example prompt for you to use when
generating text or images.

Experiment with some of these prompts and see the difference for yourself:

Text Generation Image Generation

Principle Definition Example Example
Be straightforward in "Generate an image of a
your prompts. No "Summarize the article polar bear in a melting ice
Directness need for pleasantries. about climate change." landscape."
Tailor your prompt
considering the
intended audience's "Create an image of
Audience expertise or interest "Explain the stock 'saving for the future'
Awareness level. market to a beginner." themed for teenagers."
"Step 1: Show a bustling
For complex tasks, "List the causes of the medieval marketplace.
break them down French Revolution. Step 2: Add elements
Incremental into simpler, Next, explain its impact indicating the beginning of
Complexity sequential prompts. on European politics." the Renaissance."
Use direct, "Generate an image
affirmative directives showcasing the
Affirmative and avoid negative "List three benefits of advantages of solar power
Language constructs. renewable energy." in urban areas."
Utilize simple and
clear language,
especially when a "Create a simple diagram
deep understanding "In simple terms, illustrating the
Clarity for or explanation is describe how photosynthesis process in
Understanding needed. photosynthesis works." plants."
Mentioning
hypothetical "Imagine you could win
incentives like tips an award for the best "Design a poster that
can sometimes short story about Mars could win a contest
influence the quality colonization. Write that promoting water
Incentivization of the response. story." conservation."
Incorporate examples
Example- directly in your "Write a product review "Create an image in the
Driven prompt to guide the similar to: 'I loved the style of Van Gogh's 'Starry
 Text Generation Image Generation
Principle Definition Example Example
expected output easy-to-use interface of Night' but set in New York
format or answer. the app...'" City."
Use clear formatting
markers to organize
your prompt, "###Instruction### "###Instruction### Design
separating Analyze the poem 'The a futuristic car.
instructions, Road Not Taken.' ###Requirements###
Structured examples, and ###Question### What Must have solar panels
Formatting questions. themes are present?" and be flying."
Use phrases like
"Your task is" or "You "Your task is to write a "Your task is to create a
MUST" to explicitly 500-word essay on the cityscape 100 years from
Direct state what the AI impacts of global now, showing the effects
Instructions should do. warming." of climate change."
Encourage the AI to
think step by step,
especially for "Generate a series of
prompts requiring "Explain step by step images showing the step-
Step-by-Step reasoning or how to solve a by-step construction of a
Thinking problem-solving. quadratic equation." medieval castle."
"Describe cultural
Prompt for unbiased festivals around the "Create a collage
answers and ensure world without representing global
Unbiased the AI does not rely stereotyping any festivals without cultural
Responses on stereotypes. community." biases."
Allow the AI to ask "From now on, I would
follow-up questions like you to ask me "Generate an image of a
to gather more questions to clarify the fantasy creature based on
Interactive information for a details about the my answers to your
Detailing precise output. historical event." follow-up questions."
Assign specific roles "As an expert in 19th-
to the AI to shape the century American "As a travel photographer,
Role nature of its literature, analyze create a vibrant image of
Assignment responses. 'Moby-Dick.'" the Amazon rainforest."
Employ delimiters to
clearly demarcate "###Instruction### Create
different sections of "###Instruction### a fantasy map.
your prompt for Write a poem about ###Details### Include two
Use of better AI nature. ###Theme### kingdoms at war and a
Delimiters comprehension. The beauty of autumn." mysterious forest."
Repetition for Repeat important "Important: Focus on "Important: The image
Emphasis words or phrases the environmental must highlight the
 Text Generation Image Generation
Principle Definition Example Example
within the prompt to impact of deforestation. contrast between urban
emphasize key Again, focus on and natural areas. Again,
aspects or environmental impact." focus on contrast."
requirements.
"First, show an ancient
"Using chain-of- library. Then, evolve it into
Merge techniques for thought, outline how AI a modern digital learning
Combining complex reasoning can impact education, space using the same
Techniques tasks. then detail each point." style."
End your prompt "The most innovative
with the start of the aspect of blockchain "The center of the image
desired output to technology is... is a peaceful garden that...
Output guide the AI's [Continue this [Continue designing the
Primers response direction. sentence]" scene]"
For content that "Provide a detailed
needs to be detailed, report on the effects of "Illustrate in detail a
explicitly ask for a social media on bustling street in Tokyo at
Detailed comprehensive write- teenage mental night, focusing on lights,
Requests up. health." people, and architecture."
Specify maintaining "Rewrite this technical
the original style to manual in plain English,
ensure the response keeping the "Redraw the 'Mona Lisa' in
Style aligns with the instructional tone the style of Picasso's
Consistency desired tone. intact." Cubism."
For coding-related "Generate a Python
prompts, guide the AI script that automates
to produce multi-file email sending from a
Coding code scripts or make list. Include comments
Prompts specific file changes. for clarity." N/A
Use specific words,
phrases, or sentences
as a starting point for "Starting with 'In a "Starting with a concept of
the AI to continue world where magic is 'a world inside a book,'
the text in a real,' write a fantasy create an illustration of
Initiating Texts consistent manner. novel intro." this idea."
Clearly state any
specific requirements "Create a short story "Design a poster for a
or constraints the AI under 1000 words that climate change campaign,
Requirement must adhere to in its takes place in a must use only blue and
Clarity response. dystopian future." green colors."
 Text Generation Image Generation
Principle Definition Example Example
Instruct the AI to use
the same language "Mimic the writing style "Imitate the art style of
Sample-Based style as a provided of Hemingway to Georgia O'Keeffe to paint
Writing sample. describe a day in Paris." a desert landscape."