Specifying the desired format for responses is important in obtaining information or content that aligns with your presentation or usage preferences.
When instructing the GAI, consider how you want the information structured, whether it's in paragraphs, bullet points, machine-readable content, or any other specific format.
Clarity in output formatting instructions ensures that the GAI delivers responses in a manner suitable for your intended use.
"I need a concise summary of renewable energy sources. Please format the information in bullet points for easy readability."
Why It's Good: The prompt not only specifies the content (concise summary of renewable energy sources) but also guides the output format (bullet points), ensuring the response aligns with the user's presentation preferences.
"Provide information on renewable energy sources."
Why It's Bad: This prompt lacks output formatting instructions. Without specifying the desired format, the response may not meet the user's presentation or readability requirements.
Consider the following aspects when instructing the GAI on output formatting:
- Text structure (paragraphs, bullet points, lists)
- Inclusion of headers or subheadings
- Formatting for code or technical content (e.g., JSON, CSV or XML)
Be explicit in your formatting instructions to receive responses that match your presentation expectations.
Prompt the GAI for information and experiment with different formatting instructions. Evaluate how variations in format impact the readability and usability of the responses.
Given a specific topic, create prompts that cater to different presentation styles. Instruct the GAI on formatting tailored for an article, a presentation slide, or a technical document.