Immediate Engineering Templates That Work: 7 Copy-Paste Recipes for LLMs

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# Introduction

 
If you happen to’ve used LLMs for various duties, you’ve in all probability observed that the response usually depends upon the way you write the immediate. That is what we name immediate engineering. The best way you give directions may be the distinction between a imprecise reply and a exact, actionable reply. I do know immediate engineering can really feel a little bit tough at instances. It’s not simply pure science; it’s a mixture of science and artwork, which suggests you must experiment to see what works greatest for every state of affairs. Don’t fear — I’ve bought you coated on this article.

We’ll undergo 7 tried-and-tested recipes that you could bookmark and use in your personal duties. I gained’t cowl each single area right here, however I’ll concentrate on 7 totally different areas. If any of them align intently with what you’re engaged on, give them a attempt to let me know within the feedback the way it goes. Right here we go.

# 1. Job Functions & Profession → Persona + Personalization Immediate

 
Generic cowl letters are fairly simple to identify. Though I personally really feel {that a} letter written by you’ll learn extra naturally and entice a greater response from an employer, I perceive this is among the most typical use instances. In that state of affairs, embrace a private contact and maintain a pure tone. If you happen to simply paste your résumé, it usually highlights every little thing—even issues that aren’t actually essential. You too can add a couple of key factors within the construction part when you like. Don’t simply ask: “Write a canopy letter for the ML engineer place at XYZ firm.” You don’t need to give the impression that your letter is an identical to each different candidate’s.

Template:
You might be my profession assistant. Draft a tailor-made cowl letter for the place of [Job Title] at [Company].

Particulars about me: [paste key skills, most relevant achievements, and work experience].

Pointers:
– Hold the tone: skilled, assured, but pure — not overly enthusiastic.
– Summarize expertise in a approach that highlights transferable worth and impression, not a task-by-task checklist.
– Construction:
1) Transient introduction with real curiosity within the function/firm.
2) Concise paragraph connecting my background to the function necessities.
3) Closing paragraph with a assured however respectful name to motion.
– Hold the letter below one web page.

# 2. Arithmetic & Logical Reasoning → Chain-of-Thought + Function + Few-Shot Prompting

 
Most individuals locally may already know what chain-of-thought and few-shot prompting are, however since many college students and non-technical customers use LLMs for this goal, I wished to say it explicitly. LLMs usually wrestle with math when you ask them immediately. For instance, strive asking an LLM to rely the variety of “r”s in “strawberry” and you may even see it wrestle. As an alternative, asking it explicitly to “motive step-by-step” improves accuracy. Including few-shot examples—worked-out issues—additional reduces errors by offering a transparent understanding of the reasoning course of.

Template:
You’re a math tutor. Remedy the next drawback step-by-step earlier than giving the ultimate reply.

Instance:
Q: If a prepare travels at 60 km/h for two hours, how far does it go?
A: Step 1: Pace × Time = 60 × 2 = 120 km.
Closing Reply: 120 km

Now resolve this drawback:
[Insert your math problem here]

# 3. Code Technology → Instruction Decomposition + Constraints Immediate

 
Coding is among the main use instances of LLMs, and it’s additionally why you might need heard the time period “vibe coding” trending. Even skilled builders have shifted to producing boilerplate code with LLMs after which constructing on prime as they go. If you happen to’ve coded earlier than, you recognize {that a} single drawback may be solved in some ways, and LLMs typically make issues extra sophisticated than they have to be. A little bit of steerage within the type of constraints—and breaking down the duties with clear inputs, outputs, and necessities—retains outputs sensible.

Template:
You’re a senior software program engineer. Write Python code to perform the next job utilizing {constraint}.

Job: {describe what the code ought to do}

Necessities:

Enter format: {specify}
Output format: {specify}
Edge instances to deal with: {checklist them}

Present clear, commented code solely.

# 4. Studying & Tutoring → Socratic Methodology + Guided Educating

 
Lots of people use LLMs as a studying software due to the pliability they supply and the best way they will simply adapt to your most well-liked construction. Completely different instructing strategies work in another way for individuals, however one strategy I’ve discovered each helpful and extensively adopted in schooling is when studying is not only one-way. As an alternative, the trainer asks you inquiries to verify understanding, then clarifies or explains additional. This retains the method interactive and prevents passive studying.

Template:
You’re a affected person tutor. As an alternative of immediately stating the reply, information me step-by-step utilizing questions I can reply. Then, primarily based on my solutions, clarify the answer clearly.

Subject: {Insert matter}

Begin instructing:

# 5. Inventive Writing & Storytelling → Managed Creativity with Persona + Model

 
One of many main use instances that appeared with LLMs was the expansion in kids’s content material due to their skill to generate partaking tales. You might need additionally observed AI-based movies on YouTube following the identical development. Story technology is fairly cool, however when you simply let the mannequin go by itself, issues can simply get misplaced. To maintain it partaking and structured, it helps to set constraints like perspective, theme, character, and even the ending. In observe, this works a lot better for inventive duties.

Template:
You’re a expert storyteller. Write a brief story (round 400 phrases) within the fashion of magical realism.

Perspective: first particular person
Theme: discovery of a hidden world within the bizarre
Viewers/Complexity Degree: kids (easy)
Ending: Finish with a shocking twist.

# 6. Brainstorming & Concept Technology → Divergent + Convergent Considering

 
In terms of creativity, one of the vital efficient methods to make use of LLMs is for brainstorming. However when you simply ask for “concepts,” the mannequin may throw out a random checklist that’s both too broad or not sensible. A greater approach is to comply with the identical course of utilized in actual brainstorming classes: first go large and generate as many uncooked concepts as doable (divergent pondering), then slim down and refine the very best ones into workable options (convergent pondering). This manner, you get each creativity and construction within the output.

Template:

Step 1: Generate 10 uncooked, unfiltered concepts for [topic].
Step 2: Choose the highest 3 most sensible concepts and develop every into an in depth plan.

# 7. Enterprise & Technique → Guide-Model Structured Immediate

 
Lots of people additionally use LLMs for business-related duties, whether or not that’s market analysis, planning, or technique constructing. The difficulty is that when you simply ask a imprecise query like “How do I enhance my enterprise?” you’ll normally get a generic reply that doesn’t actually assist. The best way to get extra sensible, clear output is to border the immediate in a structured format, just like how consulting corporations current their evaluation. This retains the reply centered, avoids pointless fluff, and makes it actionable.

Template:
You’re a technique guide. Present a structured 3-part evaluation for [business challenge].

Present State of affairs: Key information, market context, or knowledge obtainable
Key Challenges: The principle issues or obstacles to handle
Really useful Technique: 3 actionable steps that may be applied immediately

Kanwal Mehreen is a machine studying engineer and a technical author with a profound ardour for knowledge science and the intersection of AI with medication. She co-authored the e-book “Maximizing Productiveness with ChatGPT”. As a Google Technology Scholar 2022 for APAC, she champions range and tutorial excellence. She’s additionally acknowledged as a Teradata Range in Tech Scholar, Mitacs Globalink Analysis Scholar, and Harvard WeCode Scholar. Kanwal is an ardent advocate for change, having based FEMCodes to empower girls in STEM fields.