Prompt Engineering
Use structured formats
Format the generated output to make it easier to interpret and parse the information.
How to use structured formats
- Provide a template or example output.
- Use clear delimiters and labels. For example, label sections and use delimiters to separate different parts of the response.
- Use formatting conventions. For example, “generate a Markdown-formatted summary with headings and bullet points”.
Common structured formats
- JSON/XML: Ideal for data interchange between systems.
- Bullet points/lists: Useful for summaries or step-by-step instructions.
- Tables: Great for comparing data or presenting multiple related items.
- Headings and subheadings: Organizes content for readability, especially in longer texts.
- Custom templates: Tailored formats specific to your application’s needs.
Examples
Example 1: Customer support chatbot
Example 1: Customer support chatbot
A structured format allows the support team quickly identify the issue category (Billing), prioritize the request (High), and provides a ready-to-send response.Prompt:
Example 2: Data entry automation
Example 2: Data entry automation
By specifying CSV format, the extracted data can be directly imported into databases or spreadsheets, saving time on data entry.Prompt:
Example 3: Content creation for marketing
Example 3: Content creation for marketing
The structured prompt ensures all key marketing elements are included.Prompt:
Example 4: Medical report summarization
Example 4: Medical report summarization
The structured outputs help healthcare professionals quickly review critical patient information.Prompt:
Tips for effective structured formatting
- Choose straightforward formats that the model can easily replicate.
- Experiment with different prompts and refine them based on the model’s outputs.
- Include any necessary background information to aid model understanding.
- Implement checks to validate that the responses meet your format requirements.
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