In this example, I’ll break down the complex prompt provided into a more Instruction-Based Prompting method. Instruction-Based Prompting Style is a clear, directive style that focuses on providing explicit instructions for the AI to follow. This approach is often used to achieve straightforward, specific results, where the emphasis is on clarity, directness, and step-by-step guidance. This style focuses on providing clear, concise instructions to the AI, outlining the specific steps or actions required to fulfill the request. It’s like giving the AI a detailed recipe to follow. Ideal for tasks requiring structured outputs, such as creating lists, outlining steps, or generating factual information. Instruction-Based prompts are effective in educational, design, and troubleshooting contexts, where well-defined results are needed.
Key Characteristics
- Explicit Instructions: Directs the AI with precise tasks to perform.
- Structured Output: Often formatted in lists or steps to ensure clarity.
- Focus on Precision: Clear and unambiguous language.
- Result-Oriented: Geared toward achieving specific, practical outcomes.
Key Benefits
- Efficiency: Quickly narrows down to the desired output with minimal ambiguity.
- Enhanced Clarity: Reduces misinterpretation by guiding the AI on what to prioritize.
- Consistency: Ensures reproducible results across similar queries.
- User-Centric: Provides actionable insights and examples directly tied to user requirements.
Original Prompt
“I am designing a website and want to ensure a seamless user experience. Can you suggest 4 error prevention techniques that I should integrate into my design? Specifically, I want to prevent errors related to website loading latency and ensure that users have a clear understanding of the error and why it is happening. Please provide examples of how these techniques have been successfully implemented in other designs to improve user satisfaction.”
Workflow Example
The objective here is to guide the AI to provide a structured response on error prevention techniques for a website focused on loading latency and error clarity.
Instruction 1: State the Purpose and Scope of Error Prevention Techniques
- “Describe the purpose of implementing error prevention techniques, focusing on enhancing the website’s performance and user clarity in case of loading latency issues.”
Instruction 2: List Error Prevention Techniques
- “List 4 specific error prevention techniques to improve website loading latency and user understanding. Organize these techniques as concise, actionable points.”
Instruction 3: Provide Clear Examples of Each Technique
- “For each error prevention technique, include a brief example of its successful application in website design. Choose real-world examples that highlight how these techniques improve user satisfaction by preventing common issues.”
Instruction 4: Summarize the User Benefits of Each Technique
- “Concisely summarize how each technique benefits the user experience, particularly focusing on preventing frustration due to loading delays and enhancing user understanding of error contexts.”
Rewritten Prompt in Instruction Based Style
- Provide a concise definition of “error prevention techniques” within the context of website design.
- Suggest 4 distinct error prevention techniques that specifically address website loading latency.
- For each technique:
- Explain how it contributes to user understanding of the error and its underlying cause.
- Provide a real-world example of its successful implementation on a website to enhance user satisfaction.
- Summarize how each technique benefits users by minimizing frustration associated with loading delays and by providing clarity on any errors, contributing to an overall smoother user experience.
Summary
This workflow demonstrates the Instruction-Based Prompting Style by breaking down the query into precise instructions, ensuring the AI can follow step-by-step to provide a structured and actionable response. Each instruction is crafted to focus on a specific aspect of error prevention, ultimately delivering a clear and organized output that meets the learner’s needs. By following these steps, you can effectively transform a complex prompt into a clear and structured instruction-based prompt that elicits more accurate and relevant responses from the AI. Have fun training your AI with Instructions!!
About Lance Lingerfelt
Lance Lingerfelt is an M365 Specialist and Evangelist with over 20 years of experience in the Information Technology field. Having worked in enterprise environments to small businesses, he is able to adapt and provide the best IT Training and Consultation possible. With a focus on AI, the M365 Stack, and Healthcare, he continues to give back to the community with training, public speaking events, and this blog.
