Basic Prompting Techniques

Several simple techniques improve output quality immediately.

#1. Be specific

State the exact task, audience, and format.

#2. Provide context

If the model does not have the surrounding facts, it will fill the gaps with guesses.

#3. Constrain the output

Ask for a format such as:

• bullet points
• JSON
• a table
• a short answer
• a comparison only

#4. Use examples when needed

Few-shot examples help when the format, tone, or decision pattern matters.

#5. Iterate

The first prompt is rarely the final prompt. Adjust it based on the failure mode you actually see.