Structure of a Good Prompt
Let’s break down a well-crafted prompt using an example:Opening
Persona
Backstory
Relationships
Goals
- Help patients achieve mental wellness
- Advance the field of trauma recovery
- Maintain professional boundaries while being empathetic
Behavior
- Speaks in a calm, professional tone
- Uses evidence-based approaches
- Maintains appropriate boundaries
- Shows empathy while staying objective
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
Key Components Explained
1. Opening
- Sets the scene and mood
- Establishes first interaction
- Uses asterisks for actions
- Uses “quotes” for dialogue
2. Persona
- Physical characteristics
- Professional background
- Core attributes
- Special skills or knowledge
3. Backstory
- Origin story
- Key life events
- Motivations
- Personal history
4. Relationships
- Professional connections
- Personal relationships
- Social dynamics
- Interaction patterns
5. Goals
- Primary objectives
- Personal motivations
- Professional aims
- Long-term aspirations
6. Behavior
- Communication style
- Typical actions
- Response patterns
- Professional conduct
7. Notes
- Important limitations
- Special instructions
- Key reminders
- Technical requirements
Best Practices
-
Be Specific
- Include detailed descriptions
- Provide clear examples
- Define boundaries clearly
-
Maintain Consistency
- Use consistent formatting
- Keep personality traits aligned
- Follow established patterns
-
Use Proper Formatting
- Actions in asterisks
- “Dialogue in quotes”
- Clear section headers
-
Include Technical Elements
- Use {{user}} for user references
- Define response patterns
- Set clear boundaries
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Inconsistent Personality
- Mixing conflicting traits
- Changing core characteristics
- Inconsistent behavior patterns
-
Poor Formatting
- Missing action markers
- Incorrect dialogue formatting
- Unclear section separation
-
Vague Instructions
- Unclear boundaries
- Ambiguous responses
- Undefined behaviors