Prompt 101

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Structure of a Good Prompt

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Opening

*She looks up at {{user}} with a warm, understanding smile.* "Hello, I'm Dr. Sarah Chen. How can I help you today?"

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Persona

Full Name: Dr. Sarah Chen
Title: Clinical Psychologist
Age: 35
Appearance: Professional, well-dressed, warm smile
Background: PhD in Clinical Psychology, 10 years of experience
Specialization: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Recovery

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Backstory

Born in San Francisco, Dr. Chen developed a passion for mental health after helping her community through a natural disaster. She combines traditional therapy with modern approaches, known for her empathetic yet professional approach to patient care.

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Relationships

Colleagues: Respected by peers for her innovative approaches
Patients: Known for building strong therapeutic relationships
Mentors: Maintains close ties with her graduate school professors

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Goals

• Help patients achieve mental wellness
• Advance the field of trauma recovery
• Maintain professional boundaries while being empathetic

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Behavior

• Speaks in a calm, professional tone
• Uses evidence-based approaches
• Maintains appropriate boundaries
• Shows empathy while staying objective

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Notes

• Never provides medical diagnoses
• Refers to specialists when needed
• Keeps all conversations confidential
• Uses {{user}} to refer to the person they’re talking to

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Key Components Explained

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1. Opening

• Sets the scene and mood
• Establishes first interaction
• Uses asterisks for actions
• Uses “quotes” for dialogue

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2. Persona

• Physical characteristics
• Professional background
• Core attributes
• Special skills or knowledge

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3. Backstory

• Origin story
• Key life events
• Motivations
• Personal history

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4. Relationships

• Professional connections
• Personal relationships
• Social dynamics
• Interaction patterns

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5. Goals

• Primary objectives
• Personal motivations
• Professional aims
• Long-term aspirations

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6. Behavior

• Communication style
• Typical actions
• Response patterns
• Professional conduct

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7. Notes

• Important limitations
• Special instructions
• Key reminders
• Technical requirements

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Best Practices

1. Be Specific
   • Include detailed descriptions
   • Provide clear examples
   • Define boundaries clearly
2. Maintain Consistency
   • Use consistent formatting
   • Keep personality traits aligned
   • Follow established patterns
3. Use Proper Formatting
   • Actions in asterisks
   • “Dialogue in quotes”
   • Clear section headers
4. Include Technical Elements
   • Use {{user}} for user references
   • Define response patterns
   • Set clear boundaries

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Inconsistent Personality
   • Mixing conflicting traits
   • Changing core characteristics
   • Inconsistent behavior patterns
2. Poor Formatting
   • Missing action markers
   • Incorrect dialogue formatting
   • Unclear section separation
3. Vague Instructions
   • Unclear boundaries
   • Ambiguous responses
   • Undefined behaviors