Prompt Engineering 101: How to Talk to AI

Introduction: The New Literacy

Prompt engineering is the art and science of communicating effectively with AI systems. Just as learning to use a search engine became essential in the 2000s, learning to craft effective prompts is becoming crucial in 2025.

The difference between a basic prompt and a well-crafted one can be the difference between mediocre and exceptional results. This guide will teach you everything you need to know.

What is Prompt Engineering?

Prompt engineering is the practice of designing inputs (prompts) that guide AI systems to produce desired outputs. It involves understanding how AI models interpret language and structuring your requests to maximise their effectiveness.

Think of it as learning to ask questions in a way that gets you the best answers. The same AI model can produce dramatically different results depending on how you phrase your request.

The Anatomy of a Great Prompt

1. Context

Provide background information that helps the AI understand the situation.

Example: "I am a small business owner in Manchester running a bakery. I need help with..."

2. Specific Task

Clearly state what you want the AI to do.

Example: "Write a promotional email announcing our new sourdough bread."

3. Format and Structure

Specify how you want the output formatted.

Example: "Format this as bullet points with a brief introduction."

4. Constraints and Guidelines

Set boundaries and provide specific requirements.

Example: "Keep it under 200 words. Use a friendly, conversational tone."

5. Examples (Few-Shot Prompting)

Show the AI what you want by providing examples.

Example: "Here is an example of the style I want: [example]. Now write something similar about..."

Core Prompt Engineering Techniques

1. The "Act As" Technique

Tell the AI to assume a specific role or persona.

Template: "Act as a [role] with [experience level]. [Your request]."

Example: "Act as an experienced marketing consultant with 15 years in the tech industry. Review this campaign proposal and suggest three improvements."

2. Chain-of-Thought Prompting

Ask the AI to explain its reasoning step by step.

Example: "Explain how you arrived at this conclusion, showing your reasoning step by step."

3. Iterative Refinement

Treat the first response as a draft and provide feedback for improvement.

Example: "That is good, but make it more concise and focus more on the benefits rather than features."

4. Output Formatting

Request specific output formats:

• "Present this as a table"
• "Format as JSON"
• "Create a markdown checklist"
• "Write this as a dialogue"

5. Negative Prompting

Tell the AI what to avoid.

Example: "Write a product description. Do not use marketing buzzwords. Avoid hyperbole."

Advanced Techniques

Prompt Chaining

Break complex tasks into a sequence of simpler prompts, using each output as input for the next.

Context Window Management

For long conversations, periodically summarise key points to maintain context within the AI's memory limits.

Temperature and Creativity Control

Some AI systems let you adjust "temperature"—lower for factual, consistent outputs; higher for creative, varied responses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being Too Vague: "Write something good" gives the AI nothing to work with
• Overloading: Asking for too many things in one prompt
• Assuming Context: The AI does not know what you are thinking
• Not Iterating: Accepting first drafts instead of refining
• Ignoring Constraints: Forgetting to specify important limitations

Prompt Templates for Common Tasks

Content Creation

Act as a [type of writer] writing for [target audience]. 
Create a [content type] about [topic]. 
Tone: [professional/casual/enthusiastic]
Length: [word count]
Key points to include: [points]
Style similar to: [example/publication]

Analysis and Research

Analyse [subject] from the perspective of [stakeholder].
Consider: [specific factors]
Provide: [pros/cons/recommendations/summary]
Format as: [bullet points/paragraphs/table]

Problem Solving

I need to [solve problem].
Constraints: [limitations]
Resources available: [resources]
Provide [number] possible solutions with pros and cons for each.

Practical Exercises

Practice makes perfect. Try these exercises:

1. Rewrite: Take a simple request and improve it using the techniques above
2. Compare: Try the same request with different phrasing and compare results
3. Constrain: Give the AI increasingly specific constraints and observe how it adapts
4. Role-Play: Ask the AI to respond as different personas for the same question

Tools and Resources

• Prompt Libraries: Collections of effective prompts for different tasks
• Prompt Builders: Tools that help structure complex prompts
• Communities: Reddit r/PromptEngineering, Discord servers
• Courses: Online courses on prompt engineering techniques

Conclusion: Keep Practising

Prompt engineering is a skill that improves with practice. Start applying these techniques today, experiment freely, and develop your own style.

Remember: The goal is not perfection but progress. Every interaction with AI is an opportunity to refine your prompting skills.

For businesses looking to train teams in effective AI communication, ZappingAI offers workshops on prompt engineering and AI literacy.