When crafting prompts for AI like Grok3, certain command words can help you get clear, targeted, and useful responses. The best words depend on what you’re trying to achieve, but here’s a breakdown of the most useful command words for typical prompts, along with their purposes:
1. For Generating Information or Explanations
- Explain: Get a clear, detailed breakdown of a topic (e.g., “Explain how photosynthesis works”).
- Describe: Request a vivid or detailed portrayal (e.g., “Describe a medieval castle”).
- Summarize: Get a concise overview (e.g., “Summarize the plot of 1984“).
- Define: Ask for a specific definition (e.g., “Define quantum entanglement”).
- Clarify: Request more detail or simplification (e.g., “Clarify the difference between AI and machine learning”).
2. For Analysis or Reasoning
- Analyze: Break down a topic or content (e.g., “Analyze the tone of this poem”).
- Compare: Highlight similarities and differences (e.g., “Compare Python and Java”).
- Evaluate: Assess quality, value, or impact (e.g., “Evaluate the pros and cons of remote work”).
- Interpret: Seek meaning or significance (e.g., “Interpret the symbolism in The Great Gatsby“).
- Justify: Ask for reasoning or evidence (e.g., “Justify why renewable energy is crucial”).
3. For Creative Tasks
- Write: Request original content (e.g., “Write a short story about a time traveler”).
- Create: Generate something new (e.g., “Create a recipe for a vegan dessert”).
- Imagine: Explore hypothetical scenarios (e.g., “Imagine a world without electricity”).
- Design: Ask for structured output (e.g., “Design a workout plan for beginners”).
- Compose: Craft artistic content (e.g., “Compose a poem about the ocean”).
4. For Problem-Solving or Advice
- Solve: Request a solution (e.g., “Solve this math equation: 2x + 5 = 15”).
- Suggest: Ask for ideas or recommendations (e.g., “Suggest ways to improve productivity”).
- Recommend: Get specific advice (e.g., “Recommend books for learning coding”).
- Troubleshoot: Address issues (e.g., “Troubleshoot why my laptop is slow”).
- Plan: Request a structured approach (e.g., “Plan a 3-day trip to Paris”).
5. For Structuring or Formatting
- List: Get a bulleted or numbered list (e.g., “List 5 benefits of meditation”).
- Outline: Request a structured overview (e.g., “Outline the steps to start a business”).
- Format: Specify output style (e.g., “Format this as a table: pros and cons of solar energy”).
- Organize: Ask for sorted information (e.g., “Organize these tasks by priority”).
- Categorize: Group items (e.g., “Categorize animals by habitat”).
6. For Interactive or Iterative Prompts
- Ask: Request questions from the AI (e.g., “Ask me questions to help me plan a career change”).
- Refine: Improve something (e.g., “Refine this email to sound more professional”).
- Expand: Add more detail (e.g., “Expand on the benefits of recycling”).
- Simplify: Make complex ideas easier (e.g., “Simplify quantum mechanics for a 10-year-old”).
- Continue: Keep going from a previous point (e.g., “Continue the story from where it left off”).
Tips for Effective Prompts
- Be Specific: Combine command words with clear details (e.g., “Explain the greenhouse effect in 100 words or less”).
- Set Tone or Style: Add words like “formally,” “casually,” or “humorously” (e.g., “Describe a cat humorously”).
- Define Scope: Use phrases like “in detail,” “briefly,” or “step-by-step” (e.g., “List 3 tips briefly”).
- Iterate: If the response isn’t perfect, use follow-up commands like “clarify,” “expand,” or “rephrase.”
Example Prompts
- “Summarize the key events of World War II in a bullet-point list.”
- “Write a funny dialogue between two robots debating pizza toppings.”
- “Suggest 5 creative ways to reduce plastic waste, with a brief explanation for each.”
- “Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of solar energy compared to wind energy.”
These command words are versatile and work well with most AI models, including me. Try mixing and matching them to suit your needs, and if you want more tailored advice, let me know what kind of prompts you’re working on!