A Guide to Prompt Engineering: Harnessing the Power of Generative AI for Productivity

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2024

Abstract

Goal: To create a succinct yet thorough guide to the art and science of prompt engineering (a.k.a. prompt design, prompt crafting, prompt creation) to elicit the most relevant, effective and accurate outputs. This guide shares evidence-based tips and tricks to optimize responses from Natural Language Processing (NLP) Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) performs best when prompted by a skilled communicator who understands how to structure and apply specific techniques for various purposes and use cases in order to generate the desired output.

Overview: This prompt engineering guide compiles material from online prompt engineering courses, YouTube videos, journal articles, and conversation threads with GenAI chatbots. All the material covered in this guide will help you understand the basic prompt engineering tips and tricks you can use to optimize interactions with artificial intelligence generators. Sample prompts and examples related to the humanities are interspersed throughout to illustrate best practices/techniques. However, you can easily adapt this guide to any field.

Comments

ChatGPT's mainstream debut in November 2022 sparked a seismic shift in education. Suddenly, educators faced a new challenge: how to teach and assess students in a world where AI could generate convincing text at the touch of a button. Recognizing this pivotal moment, a team at Collin College, supported by a Perkins Leadership Grant, sprang into action. Our mission? To harness the power of Generative AI (GenAI) for education. We assembled a diverse team of experts - from subject matter experts and librarians to accessibility gurus and administrative leaders. Together, we crafted this comprehensive GenAI guide, designed to empower both students and educators with the skills for responsible human-AI collaboration. Our journey didn't stop there. We partnered with Texas State Technical College to pilot the guide in their welding program, bringing AI literacy to a hands-on field. Now, we're excited to share this resource widely, gather your feedback, and measure its real-world impact on teaching and learning. Join us as we navigate this new frontier in education!

A Guide to Prompt Engineering: Harnessing the Power of Generative AI for Productivity by Mindi Bailey, Julie Boganwright, Cesar Lopez-Maldonado, Russel Smith, and Mindy Tomlin is licensed under CC BY 4.0

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