By skyforbes 
As we wrap up the year I wanted to put together a list of the prompting techniques we learned this year,
The Core Principle: Show, Don't Tell
Most prompts fail because we give AI instructions. Smart prompts give it examples.
Think of it like tying a knot:
❌ Instructions: "Cross the right loop over the left, then pull through, then tighten…"
You're lost.
✅ Examples: "Watch me tie it 3 times. Now you try."
You see the pattern and just… do it.
Same with AI. When you provide examples of what success looks like, the model builds an internal map of your goal—not just a checklist of rules.
The 3-Step Framework
1. Set the Context
Start with who or what. Example: "You are a marketing expert writing for tech startups."
2. Specify the Goal
Clarify what you need. Example: "Write a concise product pitch."
3. Refine with Examples ⭐ (This is the secret)
Don't just describe the style—show it. Example: "Here are 2 pitches that landed funding. Now write one for our SaaS tool in the same style."
Fundamental Prompt Techniques
Expansion & Refinement
– "Add more detail to this explanation about photosynthesis."
– "Make this response more concise while keeping key points."
Step-by-Step Outputs
– "Explain how to bake a cake, step-by-step."
Role-Based Prompts
– "Act as a teacher. Explain the Pythagorean theorem with a real-world example."
Iterative Refinement (The Power Move)
– Initial: "Write an essay on renewable energy."
– Follow-up: "Now add examples of recent breakthroughs."
– Follow-up: "Make it suitable for an 8th-grade audience."
The Anatomy of a Strong Prompt
Use this formula:
[Role] + [Task] + [Examples or Details/Format]
Without Examples (Weak):
"You are a travel expert. Suggest a 5-day Paris itinerary as bullet points."
With Examples (Strong):
"You are a travel expert. Here are 2 sample itineraries I loved [paste examples]. Now suggest a 5-day Paris itinerary in the same style, formatted as bullet points."
The second one? AI nails it because it has a map to follow.
Output Formats
- Lists: "List the pros and cons of remote work."
- Tables: "Create a table comparing electric cars and gas-powered cars."
- Summaries: "Summarize this article in 3 bullet points."
- Dialogues: "Write a dialogue between a teacher and a student about AI."
Pro Tips for Effective Prompts
✅ Use Constraints: "Write a 100-word summary of meditation's benefits."
✅ Combine Tasks: "Summarize this article, then suggest 3 follow-up questions."
✅ Show Examples: (Most important!) "Here are 2 great summaries. Now summarize this one in the same style."
✅ Iterate: "Rewrite with a more casual tone."
Common Use Cases
- Learning: "Teach me Python basics."
- Brainstorming: "List 10 creative ideas for a small business."
- Problem-Solving: "Suggest ways to reduce personal expenses."
- Creative Writing: "Write a haiku about the night sky."
The Bottom Line
Stop writing longer instructions. Start providing better examples.
AI isn't a rule-follower. It's a pattern-recognizer.
Download the full ChatGPT Cheat Sheet for quick reference templates and prompts you can use today.
Source: https://agenticworkers.com