1 min read Learning Center

6. Harness the "CLEAR" for Prompt Engineering

In the world of prompt engineering, the CLEAR principle is another effective method for designing high-quality prompts. Its goal is to ensure clarity and precision, enabling AI models like ChatGPT to deliver accurate and relevant responses.

Let’s break it down:

C: Contextualize the Request

Providing the right context ensures the AI understands your needs clearly.

  • Example: Instead of asking, “What’s the weather?” clarify, “What’s the weather in New York City tomorrow?”

L: Limit Ambiguity

Avoid vague or multi-layered questions. Simple and focused prompts yield better results.

  • Example: Replace, “Tell me about history,” with “Explain the main events of the American Civil War.”

E: Explicitly Define Outputs

Specify the format or structure of the response.

  • Example: Say, “Summarize the causes of the American Civil War in three bullet points.”

A: Add Examples

Including examples helps the AI align its output with your expectations.

  • Example: Add, “Here’s an example of the summary style I prefer: [Insert example].”

R: Reinforce Desired Style

Specify the tone or style for the response.

  • Example: Request, “Write the summary in a formal tone suitable for an academic essay.”

By following the CLEAR principle, you can minimize misunderstandings and get responses that match your needs.

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