ChatGPT Prompting Guide: 9 Expert Tips

1. Use Role + Goal + Boundaries Clearly tell the model who it should act as, the outcome you want, and the limits or boundaries it must not cross. 2. Provide Layered Context Share information in a structured order: background first, rules second, and the actual task last, so the model can process it logically. 3. Put Key Instructions at the End The model pays strong attention to the last lines, so save your most important directions for the end of your prompt. 4. Apply a Chain of Verification Break the work into steps, check each one for mistakes, and only move forward once the previous step is validated. 5. Use Dual-Pass Responses Have the model draft a first version, then refine it against a self-check rubric to improve accuracy and quality. 6. Enforce "I Don't Know" Honesty Tell the model to admit uncertainty instead of fabricating. This reduces the risk of polished but wrong answers. 7. Adopt Multiple Viewpoints Ask the model to solve from two or more perspectives, then merge the best elements from each angle. 8. Use Clear Structural Delimiters Write key rules, data, or constraints inside fences (``` or XML tags) so instructions stay clear and separate. 9. Guide with Examples Provide the model with two good examples and one poor example before asking for output to set quality expectations.