If you’ve heard of AI chatbots like ChatGPT but felt unsure how to use them, you’re not alone. Many of us, especially those who didn’t grow up with digital technology, feel a bit apprehensive about trying something new. But the good news is that learning to use these AI tools is surprisingly easy. As the name suggests, it’s just like having a conversation – or a ‘chat’.
I remember the first time I tried it and discovered it was just like chatting with an exceptionally helpful friend; one who almost always gave helpful answers and never interrupted! It quickly became a favourite tool.
For a friendly introduction to AI, read HOW CHATGPT CAN HELP YOU IN FUN AND USEFUL WAYS.
What Is a Prompt?
It all starts with the way you ask questions – what’s known in AI-speak as ‘prompting’. A ‘prompt’ is simply the instruction or question you give to an AI chatbot. It’s how you tell the AI what kind of information or response you’re looking for. The clearer and more specific your prompt, the more useful the answer will be.
Just as in normal conversation, if your question is very vague it’s quite likely you won’t get the response you want.
For example, instead of just asking ChatGPT to, “Give me ideas for what to plant in my garden” you’ll get a far more useful response if you say, “What are some easy-to-grow flowers that bloom in the summer, suitable for a shady spot in my garden?” The more detail you add, the more helpful the response will be.
Here are 4 top tips for better prompting. (I’m referring to ChatGPT throughout as it’s one of the best-known tools, but this applies to other AI chatbots too.)
Assign a Role
One of the most effective ways to begin a prompt is to assign a role to ChatGPT. For example, if you’re looking for cooking advice, you might start your prompt with something like, “Act as an experienced chef …” or for gardening maybe, “Act as a professional gardener ….” So, your prompt might be “Act as a professional gardener and suggest five flowers that bloom in summer, suitable for a small, shady garden.”
Assigning a specific role helps you get a more focused answer that’s directly relevant to your needs.
Be Clear and Specific
Being specific when talking to an AI chatbot is key to getting really useful information. Instead of asking “How can I get fit?” try narrowing it down. For example, “What are some low-impact exercises I can do at home to improve my flexibility with minimal equipment?”
Specificity helps ChatGPT give you answers that truly fit your needs. Whether you’re looking for a recipe, planning a winter activity, or figuring out how to keep your new houseplant alive, the more context you provide, the better the answer.
Adjusting Style and Tone
Another great feature is that they can adjust their style and tone depending on your preference. Want a professional answer? Just ask! Prefer something more lighthearted? You can get that too. It’s all about asking the right way.
ChatGPT can adjust the style and tone of its response to suit your needs. You might ask ChatGPT for its response to be formal, friendly, or casual, funny or serious. For example, if you want a professional response, you can say, “Explain this in a formal tone.” If you’d prefer something more cheerful and casual, try, “Explain this to me in a friendly, engaging way.”
So, if you’re planning winter activities, you might ask, “Suggest some fun winter activities for seniors in a warm and friendly tone.” You’ll get a response that feels like chatting with a helpful neighbour – casual and engaging.
Formatting
Another useful tip when prompting is to specify how you want the information presented. Do you prefer a step-by-step guide, a bullet point list, a short paragraph, a 750-word essay or perhaps the information delivered in a table?
For instance:
- “Provide a step-by-step guide on how to bake a vanilla cake.”
- “Can you give me a bullet-point list of the main facts about climate change.”
Bringing It All Together
Here’s an example prompt that brings together all four of the tips we’ve discussed:
“Act as a travel consultant for older adults. Suggest three senior-friendly European destinations that offer cultural experiences, with details on accessibility, attractions, and travel tips. Present the information as a bullet-point list in a friendly tone.”
Now Try Your Own Prompts
The beauty of ChatGPT is that it’s incredibly patient. If your first prompt doesn’t yield the perfect answer, there’s no harm in trying again with “Tell me more,” or “Can you give me a few different options?” Or refine your prompt – add more details, change the tone, or specify a format.
This back-and-forth is another great asset when interacting with an AI chatbot – it won’t get tired of your questions or lose patience if you want to refine the answer, even over and over again!
With these tips in mind, you can ask AI for anything. So, why not give it a try? You might be surprised by just how helpful (and fun) it can be.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
What is your to-date experience with AI chatbots? What information have you asked them to provide? How successful were they? Do you have any other tips you gained from experience?
