Prompts: How to Write Them, Secret Tricks, and Best Examples for AI in 2025

📌 Table of Contents

• What is a prompt and why does it matter
• The formula for a perfect prompt
• Prompt tricks and hacks
• Advanced prompt engineering tips
• Prompt examples by domain
• Table: how phrasing affects results
• Prompt improvement checklist
• Conclusion and bonus: prompt cheat codes

 

What is a prompt and why does it matter

A prompt is a command or request you give to an AI. The accuracy, creativity, and usefulness of the AI’s response depend on how well the prompt is written.

🧠 A prompt is like a magic spell. The AI is the genie — it follows instructions literally. That’s why precise phrasing is essential.

 

The formula for a perfect prompt

Here’s a basic structure for an effective prompt:

[Goal] + [Context] + [Format] + [Style/Tone] + [Constraints/Clarifications]

🔍 Example:
Create [an infographic] about [AI in education], in minimalist style, format [16:9], in English.

 

Prompt tricks and hacks

1. Assign a role or persona
Include a line like:

• "Imagine you're a Harvard history professor…"
• "You are the SMM manager of an AI startup…"

2. Temperature setting
In some models (like GPT API), temperature adjusts creativity:

• 0.2 = factual
• 0.8 = creative

3. Chain of thought
Use: “Think step by step” or “Explain your reasoning”

4. Few-shot learning
Give an example + correct answer → your query → better output.

 

🚀 Advanced prompt engineering tips

1. human: and assistant: format
This dialogue structure helps AI set the right context:

makefile

 

human: Explain quantum entanglement in simple terms 

assistant:

2. Explicit output formatting

• “Format as a table”
• “Return a list”
• “In JSON format”

3. system/user/assistant roles (API-style)

sql

 

system: You are a journalist at The Economist. 

user: Write a review of the new GPT model. 

4. Negative instructions (Do not...)

• “Avoid clichés”
• “Don’t use generic intros”
• “Exclude marketing buzzwords”

5. Add purpose: “So that…”
Clarifying intent improves accuracy:

• “So that a beginner understands”
• “So that the audience feels inspired”

6. Style guides & persona requests

• “In TED Talk style”
• “Like Steve Jobs would say it”
• “As if it were a Netflix script”

7. Use previous context

• “As you mentioned earlier…” — helps maintain consistency

8. Shortening & distilling

• “Summarize in 100 words”
• “Make it tweet-sized”
• “List only 3 key takeaways”

9. Add emotion and imagery

• “Make it dramatic, like a movie trailer”
• “Describe it visually, like a scene from a film”
• “Add a twist or surprise element”

 

Prompt examples by domain

Domain	Prompt Example
📚 Education	Explain quantum entanglement to a 12-year-old using Harry Potter examples.
💼 Business	Create a TikTok marketing strategy for an organic cosmetics brand.
✍️ Copywriting	Write a 1500-word article about the future of work with AI in an expert tone, in French.
🎨 Design	Generate 5 logo ideas for a coffee brand in minimalist style with warm colors.
📱 SMM	Come up with 10 Instagram stories about launching a new AI product. Add emojis.
👩‍💼 HR	Write a polite rejection letter for a candidate in a respectful tone.

 

Table: how phrasing affects results

Prompt Type	Example	Result
✖️ Weak	Write a text about AI	Generic, boring output
✅ Good	Write an inspiring LinkedIn post for a CEO launching an AI product (max 100 words)	Targeted, motivational content
✅ Refined	In English, neutral tone, for an investor audience	Aligned with intent and style

 

Prompt improvement checklist

✅ Clarified your goal: Why are you writing this?
✅ Defined the audience: Who is this for?
✅ Specified the tone: Expert, playful, promotional?
✅ Set the format: Article, list, table, code?
✅ Checked the language and length limits?

 

Conclusion and bonus: prompt cheat codes

Prompts are the key to unlocking AI’s full potential. The clearer your instructions, the better the results.

🎁 Bonus — Prompt Cheat Codes:

• "Act as [a role]"
• "Generate step-by-step instructions"
• "Avoid clichés and buzzwords"
• "Use storytelling with emotional hook"
• "Write in Hemingway style"
• "Use bullet points with icons"
• "Answer like a TED speaker"

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