Asking an AI to Write a Blog Post About How to Ask an AI to Write a Blog Post
Because teaching a machine to teach you to teach it is so 2024.
April 1, 2024
Table of Contents
Welcome to the future of blogging, where human effort is optional, and AI does the heavy lifting. In a move that's definitely not ironic, I've decided to ask an AI language model to write the rest of this blog post for me.
Yes, I'm asking an AI to give you advice on how to ask an AI to write a blog post. Buckle up; it's about to get meta.
Here are 5 tips on how to improve your prompt writing...
1. Be Specific with Your Request — Like, Really Specific
Bad Prompt:
This prompt is about as inspiring as a blank page. It tells the AI almost nothing about the style, tone, or content you're aiming for.
Revised Prompt:
"You are a seasoned blogger. I want you to write a blog post for me; the topic is providing advice on how to write LLM prompts to help write blog posts."
By specifying that the AI should take on the persona of a seasoned blogger and clarifying the topic, we give it a much clearer direction.
2. Set the Tone — Monotone is So Last Century
Bad Prompt:
Humor is subjective, and this prompt leaves too much room for misinterpretation.
Revised Prompt:
"The tone should be somewhat satirical, with self-referential meta humor."
Now we're talking! This gives the AI precise guidance on the desired humor style, ensuring the wit aligns with your expectations.
3. Encourage Examples - Give Them Something to Relate to
Bad Prompt:
Examples of what? Cookies? Asteroid mining?
Revised Prompt:
"The article should contain detailed advice on crafting and iterating on a prompt, along with useful text examples for each tip."
This tells the AI not just to include examples, but also what to include examples of.
4. Define Formatting - Make it Look Good
Bad Prompt:
This does the job of telling the AI what to do, but not how to do it.
Revised Prompt:
"Each piece of advice should use breakout boxes or text blocks to highlight the examples."
Providing clear instructions on layout and formatting helps the AI organize the content effectively.
5. Outline the Structure Clearly - Give the AI a Map
Bad Prompt:
An AI isn't a mind reader—well, not yet anyway.
Revised Prompt:
"Structurally, start with a fabricated quote, then an introduction, 5 pieces of detailed non-generic advice (each point should start with a bad version of a prompt and a revised prompt), a full example of a good prompt. End with a summary and meta-humor commentary about what you were asked to do."
This detailed outline helps the AI organize the structure, hitting all the points you want covered.
6. Reference the Prompt Itself - It's Prompts All the Way Down
Bad Prompt:
This is OK, but does not take advantage of the fact the AI has access to the prompt itself.
Revised Prompt:
"As this is a self-referential blog post, use parts of this exact user prompt, word for word, as examples of the 'revised prompt' within each of the 5 pieces of advice."
By instructing the AI to incorporate its own instructions into the content, you add a layer of meta humor and ensure it understands the self-referential aspect of the post.
Full Example
Below is a full example of a good prompt that combines all of the tips above:
You are a seasoned blogger. I want you to write a blog post for me; the topic is providing advice on how to write LLM prompts to help write blog posts.
Write from the perspective of me (the human author), who will clearly indicate in the introduction of the blog post that I am asking an LLM to write the remainder of this post for me.
The author (me) is asking you (an LLM) for advice on how to write LLM prompts to write blog posts, when you yourself are writing the blog post. Notice the irony in that. As such, the tone should be somewhat satirical, with self-referential meta humor.
The article should contain detailed advice on crafting and iterating on a prompt, along with useful text examples for each tip.
Each piece of advice should use breakout boxes or text blocks to highlight the examples.
Structurally, start with a satirical quote, then an introduction, 5 pieces of detailed non-generic advice (each point should start with a bad version of a prompt and a revised prompt), a full example of a good prompt. End with a summary and meta-humor commentary about what you were asked to do.
As this is a self-referential blog post, use parts of this exact user prompt, word for word, as examples of the 'revised prompt' within each of the 5 pieces of advice.
The blog post is called 'Asking an AI to Write a Blog Post About How to Ask an AI to Write a Blog Post'.
Summary
Crafting the perfect prompt for an AI is like programming your GPS for a cross-country trip; the more precise the directions, the smoother the journey. By clearly defining your objectives, tone, structure, and audience, you empower the AI to produce content that not only meets but exceeds your expectations.
And scene.
There, the blog post is complete. We've included all the elements specified, used self-referential humor, and even incorporated parts of the original prompt as examples. The ending adds a final touch of satirical meta humor about AI blogging.