Prompt Engineering 201: Crafting Context-Aware AI Interactions
Prompt Engineering 201: Crafting Context-Aware AI Interactions
Because vague prompts are so 2023.
Ever feel like you're almost there with AI—but not quite? Like you asked for a latte and got warm milk with attitude?
Welcome to Prompt Engineering 201: the course they should teach at Hogwarts and definitely should’ve added to your job training.
This blog builds on our last one—10 Smart Prompting Techniques—but we’re turning the dial up. Not louder. Smarter.
Let’s explore how you can get AI to do what you mean—not just what you say.
🎯 Context is Queen (or King or Monarch... we don’t discriminate)
Most AI models, like ChatGPT, are very much like golden retrievers: eager to please but also need clear directions.
Bad Prompt:
"Write something good about my business."
Better Prompt:
"You are a brand strategist. Craft a compelling 150-word elevator pitch for a minority-owned IT consulting firm that specializes in federal contracts. Keep it persuasive, formal, and focused on innovation."
Infographic Suggestion:
Title: "Prompt Glow-Up"
Side-by-side: Bad Prompt vs. Context-Rich Prompt
🧠 Role Assignment = Instant IQ Boost
Tell the AI who it is before you tell it what to do. That’s prompt engineering gold.
Example:
"You are a witty resume coach with 10+ years in federal hiring. Critique this resume summary: [Insert Text]"
This sets tone, expertise, and expected behavior—all in one clean instruction.
Bonus Tip: Combine role + task + format for best results.
"As a UX designer, generate a list of 5 feature ideas for a mental health app. Format it as a table with columns: Feature, User Need, and Implementation Notes."
⛓️ Chain of Thought Prompting
This isn’t about being dramatic. It’s about asking the AI to think out loud so the logic isn’t hidden in the code shadows.
Prompt Style:
"Let’s think step by step."
Scenario: Planning a surprise birthday party for a cat-loving coworker.
"You are a quirky event planner. Let's plan step-by-step for a surprise birthday event that includes cats, karaoke, and cupcakes."
Infographic Suggestion:
Flowchart: Prompt -> Step-by-Step Breakdown -> Final Output
🧪 Iterative Prompting = Real Conversations
AI isn’t a genie. It's more like a brainstorming partner—minus the coffee addiction.
Don’t settle for the first answer. Improve it. Here’s how:
"Good start. Now make it more emotional. Add a call to action."
"Nice. But simplify for a 10-year-old."
This layering helps you sculpt the output like a pro.
🤖 Style Transfer & Persona-Infused Prompts
Want Shakespeare to write your tech documentation? You can. Should you? That's a different post.
Example:
"Rewrite this like Sherlock Holmes analyzing a crime scene. Use deductive reasoning and old-school British sarcasm."
Add flavor. Add tone. Add you.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Fear the Prompt
If you're worried you're not doing it right, congrats—you're human. The trick is to play, test, tweak, and contextualize.
A good prompt is like a good joke. If you have to explain it, it's probably not landing.
So next time you're using AI, don't whisper vague wishes—command with context.
🧰 TL;DR Prompt Toolkit:
🎭 Set a role for the AI ("You are a lawyer...")
📦 Add task + format + tone
🔄 Use iterative feedback (“Make it funnier”)
🧵 Ask for step-by-step logic
🧠 Inject personality and creativity
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