Mastering AI Prompt Writing

Facilitator: Dr. Bruce Ellis (@DrBruceEllis) | https://bit.ly/47SmNVG

Generative AI Options

OpenAI ChatGPT https://chat.openai.com/

Google Bard https://bard.google.com/

Microsoft Bing Chat https://www.bing.com/?/ai

Anthropic Claude https://claude.ai/

Meta LLaMa https://ai.meta.com/resources/models-and-libraries/llama/

Quora Poe https://poe.com/

Key Points To Know

Understand the AI Model
Understanding the capabilities and limitations of the AI model you are using is essential. Different models may have varying capabilities and knowing what your model can and cannot do will help in creating effective prompts.

Be Specific
The more specific your prompt, the more accurate and relevant the response from the AI model will be. Avoid vague or open-ended questions. Instead, try to frame the prompt in a way that guides the model towards the desired response.

Context is Key
Providing the AI with as much relevant context as possible will help it generate more accurate and relevant responses. For example, if you are asking the AI to generate a paragraph on a specific topic, providing a brief summary or background information about the topic can be helpful.

Use Proper Language and Grammar
Ensure that the prompts are well-constructed and free from grammatical errors. This will not only make it easier for the AI to understand and generate a response but also ensure that the output is of high quality.

Consider the Audience
Keep in mind the level of knowledge and understanding of your audience. Avoid using overly technical jargon or complex language that may not be understood by your students.

Test the Prompts
Before using the prompts in a classroom setting, test them with the AI model to ensure they generate the desired response. Make any necessary adjustments to improve the accuracy and relevance of the response.

Creating AI prompts is a skill that you can harness to create more interactive and engaging learning experiences. Here are some key points that you should consider while learning to write AI prompts.

Ask for help

When in doubt, consider asking the AI assistant if it can help you think through creating the prompt you need. Start by asking something like, "Can you help me write an effective prompt to _________? I don't want you to create _____ but help me think through what you need so you can craft an effective prompt for me."

When done with the conversation, ask your assistant something like “Write me a prompt that I can use next time I want to complete the task we just talked about.”

Sample prompts

Lesson Planning Prompt

Act as a expert curriculum developer for [grade level] [content area]. Develop a 45-minute lesson plan for [student standard] following the [lesson plan format] format. Create the lesson plan in a table format. What other information do you need to create a robust and effective lesson plan as described?

Parent Letter Prompt

Act as a expert educator who speaks fluent English and is skilled in communication and marketing. Write a parent permission letter requesting that parents [task asked of parents]. Use a conversational voice and write with an informational tone. The deadline to hear back from the parent is [deadline]. Identify the educational value of students participating in [describe activity]. What else do you need from me in order to write an effective letter to the parents?

Quiz Question Prompt

Act as an expert test question writer who is familiar with Texas 8th grade social studies standards: The student understands the foundations of representative government in the United States. The student is expected to analyze the importance of the Mayflower Compact, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, and the Virginia House of Burgesses to the growth of representative government. Write 10 multiple choice questions with 4 answer choices each. Include a test key. Also give brief information why each answer is correct or wrong.

Rubric Prompt

Act as an expert research assistant who is skilled in creating rubrics for 9th grade Texas students who are writing a research paper for English class. Create a rubric that has four levels of quality (Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor). The criteria evaluated should include: content knowledge, thesis statement and focus, organization and structure, evidence and support, language and style, and conventions and formatting. For each criteria, clearly identify the level of quality that evident for each of the four levels of quality. Each criteria is equally weighted. Provide the rubric in a table format. Include a space below the rubric for overall feedback. What else do you need from me?

good, better, best

3rd Grade Mathematics

Good: What is 8 times 7?

Better: Explain the process of multiplication and solve 8 times 7.

Best: Show the steps to multiply two single-digit numbers, then solve 8 times 7 and explain why the answer makes sense.

4th Grade Social Studies

Good: Who was George Washington?

Better: Describe the role George Washington played in the American Revolution.

Best: Explain the significance of George Washington's leadership during the American Revolution and his role in shaping the early United States.

5th Grade Science

Good: What is photosynthesis?

Better: Describe the process of photosynthesis and its importance.

Best: Explain the process of photosynthesis, including the reactants and products, and discuss its importance to life on Earth. Explain like I’m in 5th grade.

6th Grade ELA

Good: What is a simile?

Better: Provide examples of similes and explain their purpose in writing.

Best: Define simile, provide examples, and discuss how similes enhance writing by creating vivid imagery for the reader.

7th Grade Science

Good: What are the three states of matter?

Better: Describe the three states of matter and their properties.

Best: Explain the three states of matter, their properties, and the processes that cause matter to change from one state to another.

8th Grade Mathematics

Good: What is the Pythagorean theorem?

Better: State the Pythagorean theorem and give an example of how to use it.

Best: Explain the Pythagorean theorem, its significance in geometry, and demonstrate how a student in middle school could use it to solve a right triangle problem.

9th Grade Social Studies

Good: What is the Industrial Revolution?

Better: Describe the key factors that led to the Industrial Revolution.

Best: Explain the causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution, and discuss its impact on society and the world economy.

11th Grade ELA

Good: What is a thesis statement?

Better: Explain the purpose of a thesis statement in an essay.

Best: Define a thesis statement, explain its purpose in an essay, and provide tips for creating a strong thesis statement.

Prompt Polishing

Go to one of the following sites and choose a prompt. Most likely the prompt could be more specific or improved by following one of the key points mentioned earlier. Edit the prompt and then share the prompt with the group.

advanced tips

Identify the Voice of the Information Generated

Identify the Writing Style

Additional Resources

Prompt Engineering Daily - Get the most simplified and tactical AI prompts, insights and tools to stay ahead of the curve.

The Rundown AI Newsletter - Though you can view their info online, it is super convenient to have it each morning in your inbox. You'll definitely enjoy this free newsletter.

The AI Exchange - This is a great free newsletter that won't overwhelm your inbox but provide interesting and current information about AI.

PromptPal - This freemium site allows you to search and use various prompts. Even if you don't pay for premium prompts, you can see a good bit of the prompt to get an idea of how it was worded.

The Best AI Newsletters - Look through this curated list of AI newsletters to find ones that best fit your interests.

The video provides a formula for mastering prompts on ChatGPT and Google Bard, consisting of six building blocks: task, context, exemplars, persona, format, and tone, with a specific order of importance.

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