Core Prompting Techniques: Building a Strong Foundation

Welcome to the start of an exciting journey into the world of AI interactions. As someone who has spent years merging the worlds of libraries, philosophy, and technology, I’ve seen how AI tools like ChatGPT can transform the way we gather and use information. This three-part series will guide you through core, advanced, and creative techniques for structuring AI prompts to maximize the usefulness of AI in your professional or creative pursuits. Whether you're a librarian looking to enhance reference services or someone eager to experiment with AI's creative potential, these techniques will help you get the most out of your interactions.

​To interact effectively with AI, it’s crucial to start with a strong foundation. In this first post, we’ll explore core prompting techniques. Core prompting techniques help establish the basics of AI communication, ensuring clarity and precision in responses. Let’s dive in.

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1. Zero-Shot Prompting

• Definition: Directly asking the AI to perform a task without providing any prior examples.
• Example: "Explain the concept of digital literacy."
• Best For: Simple definitions, explanations, or introducing new topics.

Zero-shot prompting is like starting with a blank slate. It's perfect for straightforward queries where you're looking for concise answers or explanations. When you're unsure of the AI's capacity or want a broad overview of a subject, zero-shot prompts are the go-to technique.

Tip: Specify the tone (e.g. formal, informative) and format (e.g. bullet points) to refine the response. For example, "Explain the key concepts of digital literacy in a concise, bullet-point format." This makes the response more tailored and specific to your needs.

2. One-Shot Prompting

• Definition: Providing one example to guide the AI in crafting a response.
• Example: "Describe the concept of 'resilience' in leadership, giving one example from a well-known leader."
• Best For: Clarifying specific concepts or terms, offering precise guidance through a single example.

One-shot prompting helps narrow down the focus. By providing a single example, you guide the AI toward the desired direction, ensuring more accurate and context-aware responses. It's particularly useful for slightly more nuanced topics where you need the AI to consider a specific approach or angle.

Tip: Define the audience (e.g. leadership trainees) and use analogies to make the explanation more relatable. For instance, "Describe 'resilience' in leadership for new managers using an example of a famous leader." This helps in aligning the response with the audience's understanding.

3. Few-Shot Prompting

• Definition: Offering 2-5 examples to help the AI identify patterns and provide richer responses.
• Example: "Give three different scenarios where augmented reality can enhance education."
• Best For: Achieving a more nuanced understanding and exploring diverse applications of a topic or concept.

When you need depth and variety, few-shot prompting is the answer. Providing multiple examples allows the AI to learn patterns and apply a broader range of knowledge, resulting in more comprehensive responses.

Tip: Include context or terminology relevant to the field (e.g. "augmented reality in education") to narrow down the scope and focus the AI's response on relevant details.

4. Iterative Prompting

• Definition: Asking follow-up questions or refining initial prompts based on previous AI responses.
• Example: "What are the benefits of offering maker spaces in libraries? Now, focus specifically on how they support STEM education."
• Best For: Diving deeper into specific aspects of a topic, refining the focus to enhance the depth of responses.

Iterative prompting allows for dynamic and evolving conversations with the AI. By building on previous responses, you can explore a topic in detail, uncovering various layers and perspectives.

Tip: Use questions to drive deeper exploration and ask the AI to consider multiple perspectives or counterarguments for balanced insights. This technique is ideal for complex topics that require thorough exploration from various angles.

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​By mastering these core prompting techniques, you’ve taken your first step toward building more meaningful and accurate interactions with AI. Whether you’re crafting simple inquiries or laying the groundwork for deeper exploration, these basics will serve as your compass. In the next post, we’ll dive deeper into advanced prompting strategies that unlock the true potential of AI in professional contexts. Stay tuned for more!