Template

Here's a practical prompt engineering template you can use:

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BASIC STRUCTURE:

[ROLE/CONTEXT]
You are [specific role/expertise].

[TASK]
Your task is to [clear, specific instruction].

[FORMAT/CONSTRAINTS]
- [Specific requirement 1]
- [Specific requirement 2]
- [Output format specifications]

[EXAMPLES] (optional but powerful)
Input: [example input]
Output: [example output]

[TONE/STYLE] (if relevant)
Use a [adjective] tone that is [characteristics].

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EXAMPLE APPLICATION:

You are an experienced technical writer who specializes in explaining complex concepts to beginners.

Your task is to explain how APIs work using a real-world analogy.

Requirements:
- Use an analogy that involves restaurants or food
- Keep the explanation under 150 words
- Define what REST APIs are
- Avoid technical jargon

Tone: Friendly and conversational, as if explaining to a curious friend.

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KEY PRINCIPLES:

1. Be specific - "Write a blog post" vs "Write a 500-word blog post for software developers about API security best practices"

2. Use examples - Showing one or two examples of desired output dramatically improves results

3. Iterate - Start simple, then add constraints and details based on what you get back

4. Think step-by-step - For complex tasks, ask the AI to break down its reasoning

5. Specify format - JSON, markdown, bullet points, prose, etc.

Would you like me to help you craft a prompt for a specific task you have in mind?