CLEAR Framework for AI Prompts:
Concise-use clear simple language, prioritize critical information, be succinct, remove irrelevant details (don’t want to exhaust token limits of AI in its response)
Logical-structure information in order, establish context and relationships, ensure logical flowing narrative
Explicit-define instructions and format, specify length, sources, terminology, set tone, reading level restrictions, provide examples
Adaptive-be flexible, rephrase and restructure, adjust setting and parameters, try different approaches, look at setting and parameters, try different approaches
Reflective-carefully evaluate A.I. responses, identify areas for improvement, use insights to further refine strategies for engagement
Leo S. Lo,
The CLEAR path: A framework for enhancing information literacy through prompt engineering,
The Journal of Academic Librarianship,
Volume 49, Issue 4,
2023
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2023.102720
When prompting AI tools:
1. Be Specific
2. State Your Intention
3. Break Down Bigger Tasks into Smaller Tasks
4. Specify the Output
5. Provide Examples
6. Experiment with Phrasing
7. Ask Follow Up Questions (Iteration)
If unsure of what prompt to use, AI prompt engineers will ask an AI chatbot "Please generate a prompt that I can use with an AI to provide me with...." followed by whatever outcome they are seeking to obtain from the AI.
