30-Second ChatGPT Prompt Training

We used the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method at @amazon to interview candidates.

On a whim, I applied the STAR method to ChatGPT prompt construction, and it worked like a charm. Here are the basics.

Situation: Provide a sentence or two that explains the context or situation. Set the stage by describing the challenge, the environment, and any relevant details. Focus on a specific situation rather than speaking in general terms.

Task: Describe the specific task or goal you want accomplished for the given situation. Clarify what the AI agent is responsible for or the role they should play in the situation. This will help highlight your objectives and better demonstrate the task at hand.

Action: Explain the actions you took to address the situation or complete the task. Provide a step-by-step account of your thought process, decision-making, and the actions you implemented. Be specific about your contributions and highlight any skills or strategies you employed.

Result: Provide a reference of the outcome or result you would like to see from the action. Pay attention to data structure and formatting.

That’s it!

Here’s an example of this framework in action:

You are a computer scientist that makes content for young people on the Internet. Your audience is still learning specific concepts. You want to help! I need you to describe “quantum computing” so that a “fifth grader” can understand. Include a metaphor or story to make the concept even easier to understand. Bonus if you can include a related historical fact. Write in narrative prose. No bullets. No colons. No quotation marks. Keep your response short. Be concise!

You could re-use this prompt for all sorts of related topics by just swapping out “quantum computing” with another concept. Super simple.