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AI and Academic Research: A Guide

A guide exploring the intersection of AI and research

Prompt Engineering Guides

A Prompt Framework

  1. Goal: Clearly define what you want.
  2. Response Format: Specify exactly how you want the response to be structured.
  3. Warnings: Indicate any important details the AI should double-check.
  4. Context: Provide background information to improve the response.

Here's an example of this framework in use as provided by OpenAI President Greg Brockman: 

 

Goal
I want a list of the best medium-length hikes within two hours of San Francisco. Each hike should provide a cool and unique adventure, and be lesser known.

Return Format
For each hike, return the name of the hike as I'd find it on AllTrails, then provide the starting address of the hike, the ending address of the hike, distance, drive time, hike duration, and what makes it a cool and unique adventure. Return the top 3.

Warning
Be careful to make sure that the name of trail is correct, that it actually exists, and that the time is correct.

For Context
For context, my girlfriend and i hike a ton! we've done pretty much all of the local SF hikes, whether that's Presidio or Golden Gate Park. we definitely want to get out of town we did mount tam pretty recently, the whole thing from the beginning of the stairs to Stinson it was really long and we are definitely in the mood for something different this weekend! ocean views would still be nice, we love delicious food. one thing i loved about the mt tam hike is that it ends with a celebration (Arriving in town to breakfast!) The old missile silos and stuff near Discovery point is cool but I've just done that hike probably 20x at this point. We won't be seeing each other for a few weeks (she has to stay in LA for work) so the uniqueness here really counts.

Top 20 Action Verbs for Drafting Dynamic Prompts

Analyze  Encourage in-depth examination or breakdown of a concept.

Compare – Request a side-by-side evaluation of two or more ideas.

Explain – Ask for clarification or detailed description of a concept.

Describe – Encourage vivid, detailed illustration or depiction.

Discuss – Promote exploration of different viewpoints or aspects of a subject.

Evaluate – Request a critical judgment or assessment of a topic.

Summarize – Encourage condensing information into concise points.

Argue – Promote building and defending a particular stance or viewpoint.

Explore – Inspire investigation or discovery of a topic.

Critique – Encourage constructive evaluation, highlighting both strengths and weaknesses.

Compare – Ask for the similarities and differences between ideas.

Propose – Request suggestions or recommendations for solutions or strategies.

Illustrate – Encourage providing examples or clarifying points with imagery or scenarios.

Reflect – Ask for personal or thoughtful consideration of a topic.

Synthesize – Encourage combining various elements or information into a coherent whole.

Interpret – Ask for an explanation of the meaning or significance of something.

Justify – Request defense or support of a decision, viewpoint, or action.

Investigate – Encourage research or exploration into details or causes.

Debate – Request examination of opposing viewpoints in a structured argument.

Predict – Ask for anticipation of future outcomes or possibilities based on information.

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AI Source: 

"Provide me with a list of the top 20 action verbs to use in writing prompts for ChatGPT." prompt, ChatGPT, OpenAI, 15 Oct. 2024, https://chatgpt.com

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