There is so much hype around artificial intelligence (AI) and all the incredible things you can do with it. But if you’re just starting out, the thought of using AI can feel intimidating. It took me some time before I became comfortable using AI and, even though I’m still learning, I do believe it’s important for everyone to be able to use AI or at least know the basics to help you work smarter. That’s where prompt engineering comes in. It’s the secret skill that unlocks the incredible potential of AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and many more. So, let’s look at what prompt engineering is and how we can start using it today.
What is prompt engineering?
Prompt engineering is the “art and science” of creating the right input (aka prompt) to get the best possible output or response from AI.
In basic terms, a prompt is a set of clear instructions to the AI so that it can understand what you want from it. Think of when you’re having a conversation with a friend, if you want certain answers from them, you need to ask them specific questions. If not, the conversation will just be filled with small talk 😉
That’s how prompt engineering works. You ask the AI exactly the right question to get the answer you’re looking for. And yes, anyone can do it!
Why prompt engineering is important
If you’re just starting your AI journey, prompt engineering is an important skill to learn early, regardless of your career field. Knowing and understanding how to create effective prompts is like having your very own superpower:
- You will get better results, faster.
- You’ll waste less time on trying to figure out how to get the results you want.
- You can get the most out of the free AI subscriptions.
And the biggest benefit? You’ll have more fun seeing your work in action!
The secret sauce
You’re probably wondering how to create a good prompt – and that’s exactly what we’ll focus on now. There is a simple structure that you can follow to guide you:
Basic = [ROLE/BACKGROUND] + [TASK/WHAT TO DO] + [AUDIENCE] + [METHOD/HOW/GUIDE]
Advanced = + [OUTPUT/RESULT] + [CONSTRAINTS/REQUIREMENTS]
This may seem complicated, but it will make sense in a moment. We’ll use two examples to explain the structure.
Example 1: weak prompt
Explain cybersecurity.
This is a vague prompt and there’s a low chance that you’ll get the answer you want because it’s not clear enough.
Example 2: strong prompt
As a cybersecurity expert, write a friendly and informative 500-word story for beginners explaining what cybersecurity is and why it’s important using simple examples.
This prompt is much better as it provides more detail to obtain a better answer.
Example 3: stronger prompt
As a cybersecurity expert with 10+ years of experience protecting both individuals and companies from digital threats [ROLE/BACKGROUND], create an engaging story that explains what cybersecurity is and why it matters [TASK/WHAT TO DO] for complete beginners who have little to no technical knowledge but want to understand how to stay safe online [AUDIENCE]. Use relatable analogies, real-world scenarios, and simple examples that connect digital security to everyday situations people already understand [METHOD/HOW/GUIDE]. Write this as a friendly, conversational 500-word story with a clear beginning, middle, and end that educates while entertaining [OUTPUT/RESULT]. Avoid technical jargon, include at least 2 specific analogies comparing cybersecurity to physical world security, mention 3 practical tips readers can implement immediately, and maintain an encouraging rather than fear-based tone throughout [CONSTRAINTS/REQUIREMENTS].
Can you see the difference? You are being clear, specific and intentional with your prompt which will lead to better results.
Based on these examples, you can see how detailed prompts can become. This is normal but also depends on what you are trying to achieve. When starting out, use this basic structure until you’re comfortable and then move on to include the advanced requirements.
Basic prompt tips
Let’s look at a few tips to help you when creating your prompts:
Be specific
- The more details you provide, the better the result you will receive.
- Instead of saying “write an email”, try “write a short, professional email requesting a user to change their password due to suspicious activity on their account and advising on the steps for them to change their password.”
Give context
- Tell the AI who it’s writing for and give it a role to use as background for the answer.
- For example: Act as a cybersecurity analyst and explain what a cyber threat is to grade 5 students.
Define the output
- If you want the results to be displayed in a certain way like a table, checklist, etc. then include that in your prompt.
- Add the requirements to the end of the prompt: … display the results in a checklist of pros and cons.
Use examples
- If you have an example that you can use as a reference, include it in your prompt.
- Example: Here is a story that I have created. Use a similar tone.
- You can also upload the document to the AI – check for the upload button on the prompt screen.
Tweak on
- Sometimes, your result still may not be exactly what you had in mind. Keep tweaking your prompt until you get the desired result.
- Don’t give up, keep trying until you get it right.
Break it down
- Break your prompt into step-by-step instructions.
- Write shorter sentences to make it easier to understand.
- You can even ask the AI to break your prompt down into simple steps.
Remember that no one is perfect immediately. Keep trying and have fun when creating your prompts.
Fun prompts to try right now
If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve listed a few fun prompts that you can try right now. The following prompts have been created to give you ideas of how you can use prompts on your own journey.
Prompt 1: The cybersecurity newbie
Act like a cybersecurity analyst. Give me the top 3 cyber threats that every cybersecurity beginner needs to know.
Prompt 2: What’s for dinner?
You are a Michelin star chef who can create incredible meals from any ingredients. Create a simple recipe for a main dish using the following ingredients: …
Prompt 3: Pros and cons
I am thinking of purchasing a new smart phone. You are an Apple expert. Give me a list of 5 pros and cons about the new iPhone so that I can make a decision. Include a short sales pitch at the end.
Prompt 4: Explain like I’m 5
You are a scientist who is an expert in the field of quantum computing. Explain what quantum computing is like I’m five years old.
Prompt 5: Compare X & Y
I would like to purchase a streaming subscription. Compare the Netflix and Disney and provide the results in a table that is easy to understand.
Have fun with your first prompts
While it sounds incredibly complicated, prompt engineering can be simple, useful, and a lot of fun. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to start using it today – just play around and learn how to give your AI good instructions.
I’m learning how to improve my prompt engineering skills daily and understanding how to create effective prompts can really help with automating tasks, analyzing threats, or even brainstorming new ideas. I will continue to share my learnings with you so that you too can get the most from AI. Be secure!
