NTU undergraduate and artificial intelligence (AI) enthusiast Arav Behl shares some tricks to prompt ChatGPT like a pro, so that it can be like that study buddy on speed dial or your brainy bestie
by Dr Daphne Ng
Give ChatGPT some context on what you want it to do
Having critical details in your prompt, such as what you will be using the information for, will help ChatGPT give accurate responses that are relevant to your request. Adding context to your prompts is like giving ChatGPT a map, guiding it to understand exactly what you want.
EXAMPLE:
“I am having difficulty understanding the process of photosynthesis, particularly how the stages work together and why it is significant in biological systems. Could you provide a detailed explanation of photosynthesis, breaking down each stage and explaining its importance? This will help me better prepare for my Year 2 Biochemistry exam.”
Ask ChatGPT to rank options if you are unsure what to choose
University life is packed with opportunities, so it’s essential to prioritise what aligns with your interests. Arav suggests using comparative prompts to help you make smarter choices. Since your disposition can influence your preferences, share your personality traits, likes and dislikes with ChatGPT, so it can help you make better decisions.
EXAMPLE:
“I am an introvert who enjoys my personal time. Help me decide between three extracurricular activities – joining a debate club, volunteering or learning a new language. Rank them according to how they will improve my communication skills, providing reasons for each.”
Use ChatGPT as a study buddy to help you learn faster
To learn new topics effectively, ask ChatGPT to pose questions that push you to think critically. This learning approach, called Socratic prompting, is inspired by the Greek philosopher Socrates.
EXAMPLE:
“Instead of giving answers outright, ask me probing questions to help me reflect and work through the problem. Encourage me to explain my reasoning, and if I get stuck, guide me with subtle hints.”
Tell ChatGPT what you don’t want it to do
Telling ChatGPT what not to do is just as important as telling it what to do, Arav says. Negative prompts can enhance ChatGPT’s performance and give you more control over the results.
EXAMPLE:
“I want to build a website with a modern, responsive design that showcases my academic achievements. However, do not suggest tools that require extensive setup or configuration.”
Tell ChatGPT to adopt a persona that is best suited for the task
If you’re struggling to understand your lecture notes while revising, you can ask ChatGPT to roleplay as a professor and explain the concepts to you as if you’re a student in one of their lectures. By taking on the role of a particular type of expert, ChatGPT can guide you through tough material.
Another example is asking ChatGPT to play the role of a venture capitalist if you’re interested in launching your own startup.
EXAMPLE:
“Take on the persona of a venture capitalist with over a decade of experience evaluating startups. Analyse the strengths and weaknesses of this startup’s business model, market potential and scalability. Share insights on what investors typically look for in a pitch and give guidance as if you’re mentoring an undergraduate preparing for a venture capital pitch competition.”
Break down complex tasks systematically to get accurate responses from ChatGPT
You can use ChatGPT to help with complex tasks, like creating a study plan. Just break the task down step by step so ChatGPT knows exactly what you need.
EXAMPLE:
“I need help planning my study schedule for the finals. Let’s break this task down step by step. First, list the subjects I should focus on, including Math, Computer Science and Economics. For each subject, identify the key topics that are crucial for my academic success. Next, based on our chat history, assess which topics need the most attention. Then, create a day-by-day plan for the next two weeks, allocating time for each subject.”
Visual: Arav Behl and Lensa AI
Arav, a third-year Data Science & Economics major, has published a research paper on prompt engineering and built several AI tools, including a data protection assistant that safeguards a company’s internal documents, a teaching assistant and a service that streamlines the job application process.
This story was published in the Sep-Oct 2024 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.
