This guide is the companion to the “How to Talk to AI: Prompt Engineering 101” video from AI Made Simple. It’s for anyone who wants to get better results when talking to generative AI like ChatGPT.
Chat with the companion Custom GPT here.
Chapter 1: How to Talk to AI
1. Write Clear Instructions
- Don’t treat AI like a search engine.
- Don’t be vague or overly friendly.
- Be direct and explicit about what you want.
Bad prompt:Plan a trip to Japan
Good prompt:I’m going to Japan for 10 days in October with my partner. We like food, local culture, and nature, and we’ll be spending most of our time in Kyoto and Tokyo. We've also both been to Japan before and see many of the most common tourist sites. Can you suggest an itinerary with a mix of cultural sites and hidden gems?
2. Give Details
- Specify who, what, when, where, and why.
- Share relevant preferences or context.
- Define what kind of answer you want (e.g., list, itinerary, summary).
3. Trust, But Verify
- AI can sound confident—even when wrong.
- Double-check important or factual information, especially if it’s for work or travel.
4. Iterate
- If the answer is off, edit your prompt and try again.
- Add or remove details until the response matches your needs.
5. Ask for Guidance
- You can ask the AI itself:
“How do I write better prompts for you?"
Chapter 2: Prompt Engineering Basics
1. What Is a Prompt?
- A prompt is just instructions to the AI.
- Every message you send is a prompt.
Two types:
- User prompt: What you type.
- System prompt: Hidden instructions that guide the AI’s personality and responses.
2. Anatomy of a Good System Prompt
Break system prompts into clear sections:
■ Role
Defines the AI’s identity and tone.
Example:You are a concise, friendly travel assistant.
■ Objective
What should the AI accomplish?
Example:Help users plan efficient and enjoyable trips.
■ Conversation Flow
How should the AI structure the conversation?
Example:
1. Ask where and when the user wants to travel.
2. Clarify interests.
3. Suggest an itinerary step by step.■ Style Guide
Controls length, tone, and format.
Example:Use simple language. Give bullet points. No chitchat.
■ Examples
Show what a good response looks like. Clearly separate from instructions.
Example:
### Example ###
User: How do I shoot a fireball in Mario 3?
AI: Press the attack button when you have a Fire Flower.Bonus: Add a short explanation of why the example is good. It helps the AI generalize.
3. Best Practices
- Use clear sections and formatting (headings, hashtags, etc.).
- State what the AI should do (not just what to avoid).
- Always test and update—prompt engineering is about refining over time.
Final Tips
- Better instructions = better results.
- Organization helps you and the AI.
- Keep experimenting. Practice is how you improve.
Prompt engineering is a skill. Use these techniques with any modern AI for clearer, more useful answers.