Get Started
Prompt Engineering
- Introduction
- Model Basics
- Prompt Structures
- Clarity & Specificity
- Using Context
- Role Instructions
- Step-by-Step
- Handling Ambiguity
- Creativity vs Precision
- Using Examples
- Advanced Techniques
- Troubleshooting
- Common Pitfalls
- Evaluating Quality
- Real-World Examples
- Prompt Templates
- AI Tasks
- Safety & Ethics
- Multimodal Prompts
- Data Extraction
- Conversation
- Personalization
Handling Ambiguity
Ambiguous prompts can confuse the AI and lead to unexpected results. Be clear about what you want, and anticipate possible interpretations. Handling ambiguity is crucial for getting reliable and relevant outputs.
Why Ambiguity Happens
- Vague language: Words or phrases with multiple meanings.
- Missing context: The AI doesn't have enough information to make the right choice.
- Unclear instructions: The prompt doesn't specify the desired format, length, or audience.
Example
Ambiguous:
Write a summary.Clear:
Write a 2-sentence summary of the following article for a high school audience, focusing on the main argument and key evidence.Another Example:
Ambiguous:
Describe the process.Clear:
Describe the process of photosynthesis in plants, using simple language and including the main steps and their purpose.If your prompt could be interpreted in more than one way, clarify your intent. Add details about the audience, format, or specific requirements.
Best Practices for Handling Ambiguity
- Review your prompt for words or phrases that could have multiple meanings.
- Add context or examples to clarify your intent.
- Specify the audience, format, and length of the response.