Prompt Engineering Is Just Asking Better Questions

TL;DR: Prompt engineering isn't a mystical skill—it's about asking clear, structured questions. Something we should’ve learned long before ChatGPT. The Problem: Prompt Engineering Got Overhyped What used to be called “clear thinking” or “structured communication” has been rebranded. Suddenly: Asking a good question became “prompt engineering” Clarifying tone became “persona modeling” Setting a word count became “constraint-driven generation” It sounds smart. It sells. But most of the time, it just confuses people and makes them believe they need some kind of prompt certification to use a chatbot. The Truth: You Already Know How to Do This If you’ve ever: Written a Google search that actually worked Explained something clearly to a teammate or client Asked ChatGPT to help you brainstorm ...then congrats: you’ve already done what the industry now calls “prompt engineering.” What Actually Makes a Good Prompt? Here’s the real framework. No acronyms. No fluff. Just what works: Clarity – Say what you want. Be direct. Context – Give the tool a reason to care. Who’s it for? Why now? Constraints – Word count, format, tone, delivery—add shape. Structure – If it’s multi-step, say so. If it’s a list, specify how many points. Examples (Let’s Get Real) Task Bad Prompt Better Prompt Blog Intro “Write a blog intro” “Write a 2-paragraph intro about remote work burnout. Tone: honest but hopeful.” Tweet “Write a tweet” “Write a sarcastic tweet about overpriced AI tools. Max 280 characters.” Tool List “Make a list of tools” “List 5 free AI tools for automating blog posts. Include pros and cons.” You Don’t Need a Course—You Need to Think Better You don’t learn prompt engineering. You practice structured thinking. Here’s how: Start small – Ask for a headline. Then ask for variations. Iterate – Prompt, review, tweak, repeat. Be clear, not clever – AI isn’t psychic. It’s just literal. Sound human – Drop the jargon. Ask questions like someone who knows what they want.

Apr 11, 2025 - 03:06

Prompt Engineering Is Just Asking Better Questions

TL;DR: Prompt engineering isn't a mystical skill—it's about asking clear, structured questions. Something we should’ve learned long before ChatGPT.

The Problem: Prompt Engineering Got Overhyped

What used to be called “clear thinking” or “structured communication” has been rebranded. Suddenly:

Asking a good question became “prompt engineering”
Clarifying tone became “persona modeling”
Setting a word count became “constraint-driven generation”

It sounds smart. It sells. But most of the time, it just confuses people and makes them believe they need some kind of prompt certification to use a chatbot.

The Truth: You Already Know How to Do This

If you’ve ever:

Written a Google search that actually worked
Explained something clearly to a teammate or client
Asked ChatGPT to help you brainstorm

...then congrats: you’ve already done what the industry now calls “prompt engineering.”

What Actually Makes a Good Prompt?

Here’s the real framework. No acronyms. No fluff. Just what works:

Clarity – Say what you want. Be direct.
Context – Give the tool a reason to care. Who’s it for? Why now?
Constraints – Word count, format, tone, delivery—add shape.
Structure – If it’s multi-step, say so. If it’s a list, specify how many points.

Examples (Let’s Get Real)

Task	Bad Prompt	Better Prompt
Blog Intro	“Write a blog intro”	“Write a 2-paragraph intro about remote work burnout. Tone: honest but hopeful.”
Tweet	“Write a tweet”	“Write a sarcastic tweet about overpriced AI tools. Max 280 characters.”
Tool List	“Make a list of tools”	“List 5 free AI tools for automating blog posts. Include pros and cons.”

You Don’t Need a Course—You Need to Think Better

You don’t learn prompt engineering. You practice structured thinking. Here’s how:

Start small – Ask for a headline. Then ask for variations.
Iterate – Prompt, review, tweak, repeat.
Be clear, not clever – AI isn’t psychic. It’s just literal.
Sound human – Drop the jargon. Ask questions like someone who knows what they want.