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Want AI to Understand You? This "Plain English" Guide Will Get You Flying! ​

Stepping into the new world of large language models (LLMs), feeling a little excited? Whether you want AI to help you write a social media post, translate a few foreign sentences, solve a math problem, or tinker with some code, you've probably heard the term Prompt Engineering—it's the art of "talking nicely" to AI.

Don't worry, this guide (about 3000 words, so be patient!) is tailor-made for you—AI newcomers who know a little programming or none at all. The goal is simple: quickly learn how to write simple and effective "commands" (prompts) to easily get AI to do tasks for you. Even if you're just typing a few words for AI to "give it a try," after reading this, you'll go from zero to using AI like a pro!

We'll use everyday situations (like how to order takeout clearly, how to write social media posts that get more likes, how to write authentic Taobao reviews) as analogies to turn those high-sounding concepts into easy-to-learn tricks. After reading, you'll understand:

  • What exactly is prompt engineering? Why is it essential when dealing with AI?
  • How to write prompts so AI "gets" your idea instantly?
  • What prompt techniques can you use daily? (From writing articles to dabbling in code!)
  • 5 essential "secret tips" for beginners.
  • If AI "answers the wrong question," how to adjust the prompt to make it more reliable?

Ready? Let's unveil the mystery of AI "command skills" and get started!

1. Prompt Engineering? Sounds Fancy, But It's Actually Simple ​

Simply put, prompt engineering is about teaching you how to speak clearly, so AI accurately knows what you want it to do.

For example, you want AI to write an article about the Spring Festival.

  • Just saying anything: "Write something about the Spring Festival." — AI might give you a long, vague, and confusing article.
  • Using prompt engineering: "Help me write a 200-word article introducing Spring Festival customs, understandable for elementary students, with a lively tone." — Now AI gets it, and the output is more likely what you want.

Another example: AI is like a super-capable food delivery person. You need to tell them: "I want a spicy hot pot, mild spice, no cilantro, deliver to XX Community, Building X." The clearer you are, the more "on point" the delivery will be. Prompt engineering helps you state your needs clearly, so AI, the "delivery person," accurately delivers the "mental nourishment" you want.

Why is it important?

  • Saves time and effort: Say it clearly once, AI gets it done, saving you from back-and-forth edits, boosting efficiency.
  • More accurate results: Clear instructions lead to outputs that better match your expectations, reducing "talking past each other."
  • Beginner-friendly: No need for complex tech or programming skills; just typing and speaking lets you use prompts to solve many problems.

2. What's a Prompt? It's the "Command" You Give AI ​

A prompt, simply put, is the text you input to AI, telling it, "Hey, help me with this!"

It can be:

  • A question: e.g., "What's the tallest building in Shanghai?"
  • An instruction: e.g., "Write a thank-you letter to a client, about 100 words, tone should be formal."
  • A request with an "example": e.g., "Look at this good Taobao review: 'Product quality is super good, logistics are great, seller service is top-notch!' Help me imitate this style to write a review for the scarf I just bought."

Compare (Chinese user scenarios):

  • Vague prompt: "Talk about hot pot." (AI: Got it! Here's a 5000-word report on hot pot history, culture, and styles... You: ???)
  • Clear prompt: "Use 50 words to introduce the main features of Chongqing hot pot, for friends from out of town who've never tried it." (AI: Chongqing hot pot is famous for its numbing-spicy, fresh aroma; beef tallow base is the soul; tripe and duck intestine are super fun to cook! Great for those who love strong flavors. You: Yeah, that's reliable!)

Remember: The more specific and clear your prompt, the more satisfactory AI's answer will be!

3. The Core of Prompt Engineering: Making AI Understand Your "Human Talk" ​

Writing good prompts is like giving a friend a task—needs to be simple, direct, and focused. These three tips are essential for beginners:

3.1 Speak Clearly So AI Does the Right Job ​

AI can't read minds; you need to tell it plainly:

  • What do you want to do? (Write an article? Translate? Calculate? Something else?)
  • What format do you want? (A paragraph? A list? A table?)
  • Who is it for? (For kids? For clients? For friends?)

Example:

  • Scenario: Just had hot pot, want to show off on social media.
  • Your prompt: "Help me write a 50-word social media post expressing my happy mood after eating hot pot, tone should be upbeat, suitable for friends."
  • AI might write: "Wow! Just finished a steaming hot spicy hot pot—spicy enough to be satisfying, the meat was super tender! Laughed till my stomach hurt with friends; winter and hot pot are indeed the perfect match! So awesome! 😋 #DeserveToBeFat #HotPotSustainsLife"

3.2 Give AI an Example to "Copy the Cat and Draw the Tiger" ​

Worried AI might go off track with free rein? No problem, you can give it one or two examples first, like a master teaching an apprentice with a demo. AI will learn from your example, producing more consistent, requirement-fitting results.

Example:

  • Scenario: Write a Taobao positive review, want consistent style.
  • Your prompt:
    Please imitate the format and style below to write a review:

[Example]
Product: Sweater
Review: This sweater feels super soft, color is accurate, no color difference. Logistics were super fast, arrived in two days, value for money is amazing!

[Your turn now]
Product: Scarf
Review: ?
  • AI might write: "This scarf is really super warm, material is comfortable, not prickly at all. Color is versatile, matches my coat perfectly. Delivery was great too, packaging intact, love it!"

3.3 Don't Fear Mistakes; Good Prompts Are "Refined" ​

AI isn't perfect; it's normal if the first result isn't satisfactory! Don't give up, try adjusting your wording:

  • Try different words?
  • Add more detail?
  • Change the tone requirement?

Try a few times, like tuning a radio for the best signal, you'll find the "best channel" where AI outputs what satisfies you most.

Example:

  • First attempt: "Write a poem about the moon."
    • (Result might be too long, too profound, or style not liked)
  • Optimized prompt: "Write a four-line short poem describing the Mid-Autumn Festival moon, should be simple and easy to understand, like a nursery rhyme, suitable for kindergarten kids."
    • AI might write:
      Mid-Autumn moon round and bright,
Hanging in the sky like a jade plate.
Kids come quick and take a look,
Eating mooncakes with happy smiles.
    • (Feels much better, right?)

4. Common Prompt "Tricks" (Easier to Understand with Life Scenarios) ​

Depending on your task, prompts have several common "play styles." Let's explain with familiar examples:

4.1 Direct Ask/Direct Tell (Zero-shot Prompting) ​

The simplest, most direct way—throw the question or task at AI with no铺垫 or explanation. Suitable for simple, straightforward tasks.

Example:

  • Scenario: Check a date.
    • Prompt: "What date and day is the Dragon Boat Festival in 2025?"
    • AI output: The Dragon Boat Festival in 2025 is June 9th in the Gregorian calendar, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, Monday.
  • Scenario: No dinner inspiration.
    • Prompt: "Recommend a quick Cantonese dish suitable for home cooking."
    • AI output: You could try "Ginger Scallion Chicken"—simple to make, chicken is tender, ginger and scallion aroma is rich, very appetizing. Or "Tomato and Egg Stir-fry," a classic home-style dish, nutritious and delicious.

Suitable for: Quick info lookup, getting simple advice, impromptu Q&A, etc.

4.2 Give Examples for It to Learn (Few-shot Prompting) ​

Give AI one or two "templates" first so it understands the format or style you want, then have it do the task. Suitable for tasks needing specific output forms.

Example:

  • Scenario: Write holiday greetings, want to keep them uniform.
    • Prompt:
      Please write a greeting following the examples below:

[Example 1]
Recipient: Xiao Ming
Occasion: Birthday
Greeting: Xiao Ming, happy birthday! In the new year, may you be happy every day and make progress in your studies!

[Example 2]
Recipient: Xiao Hong
Occasion: New Year
Greeting: Xiao Hong, happy New Year! Wishing you good health, smooth work, and all the best!

[Your turn now]
Recipient: Xiao Gang
Occasion: Mid-Autumn Festival
Greeting: ?
    • AI output: Xiao Gang, happy Mid-Autumn Festival! Wishing your family reunion, happiness and美满, may the mooncakes sweeten your heart!

Suitable for: Writing needing fixed formats, specific styles, like weekly reports, reviews, various greetings, etc.

4.3 Make AI "Think Step by Step" (Chain-of-Thought Prompting) ​

For more complex problems, like calculating expenses or analyzing reasons, you can guide AI to think and reason step by step instead of giving the answer directly. This usually leads to more accurate results.

Example:

  • Scenario: Calculate shopping expenses.
    • Prompt: "I bought 2 jin of apples today, 12 yuan per jin; also bought 3 jin of oranges, 10 yuan per jin. Help me calculate the total cost? Please write out the calculation steps."
    • AI output:
      Okay, let's calculate step by step:
1.  Cost of apples? 2 jin × 12 yuan/jin = 24 yuan.
2.  Cost of oranges? 3 jin × 10 yuan/jin = 30 yuan.
3.  Total cost? 24 yuan + 30 yuan = 54 yuan.
So, you spent a total of 54 yuan.

Suitable for: Math calculations, logical reasoning, problem analysis, tasks needing detailed explanation of the process.

5. What Can Prompt Engineering Do for You? These 5 Scenarios Are Super Practical! ​

Let's see how prompt engineering can help in daily life, with "foolproof" prompt references:

5.1 Write Stuff: Copy, Emails, Social Posts, All Handled! ​

  • Scenario: Post a social media update about a weekend park trip with kids.

    • Prompt: "Help me write an 80-word WeChat Moments post recording my happy experience taking my child to the park over the weekend. Should reflect the warmth of parent-child time, suitable for friends and family."
    • AI output: "Weekend sunshine was just right, took the kid to the local park! Little one chased pigeons, laughter filled the grass. Seeing him carefree, the whole world felt gentler. Simple companionship is the warmest happiness! ☀️ #ParentChildTime #WeekendPlans"

  • Scenario: Write a small 618 promotion ad for an online store.

    • Prompt: "Write a 50-word promotion copy for a bubble tea shop's 618 sale, highlight the 'buy one get one free' offer, tone lively, attract young people."
    • AI output: "Bubble tea lovers attention! 618 craze is here, our shop all bubble tea [Buy One Get One Free]! Mango Bobo, Taro Milk Green... drink freely! Grab your friends, cool off this summer, double the happiness! Miss it wait a year! 🥤 #618IsHere #BubbleTeaFreedom"

5.2 Answer Questions: Life knowledge, travel tips, just ask! ​

  • Scenario: Plan where to go for National Day holiday, ask for recommendations.

    • Prompt: "Recommend two domestic travel destinations suitable for the National Day holiday, briefly describe their features, keep under 80 words."
    • AI output:
      1.  **Xi'an**: Ancient capital charm, Terracotta Army is震撼, city wall cycling is pleasant, have a bowl of Paomo, feel the千年 history.
2.  **Xiamen**: Seaside town, Gulangyu is romantic, beach strolls, eat seafood, experience a小资 vibe.

  • Scenario: Explain natural phenomena to a child.

    • Prompt: "Use language elementary students can understand to explain why it rains?"
    • AI output: "Imagine the clouds in the sky are lots of tiny water droplets holding onto each other. When they hold tighter and heavier, they can't hold on anymore, 'plop' down they fall, becoming the rain we see! Just like a shower head."

5.3 Translation & Polishing: No worries with foreign languages, expressions more authentic! ​

  • Scenario: Send a National Day greeting to a foreign friend.

    • Prompt: "Translate 'Wishing you a happy National Day, have fun!' into natural-sounding English."
    • AI output: "Happy National Day! Hope you have a fantastic holiday!"

  • Scenario: Optimize a barbecue stall's ad slogan.

    • Prompt: "Our barbecue stall's ad is 'Our barbecue is explosively delicious!' Feels a bit tacky, help make it more attractive, sound mouth-watering."
    • AI output: "Try our secret-recipe barbecue, charcoal aroma, sizzling with oil, crispy outside tender inside, one bite captivates the soul! Tonight's late-night snack, it's decided!"

5.4 Simple Coding: Calculate numbers, explain code, a piece of cake! ​

  • Scenario: Calculate snack expenses (using Python).

    • Prompt: "Write a Python code snippet to calculate: I bought 4 colas (3 yuan each) and 2 bags of chips (5 yuan each), total cost."
    • AI output:
      python
      # Calculate cost
cola_price = 3  # Cola unit price
chips_price = 5  # Chips unit price
cola_count = 4
chips_count = 2

total_cost = (cola_price * cola_count) + (chips_price * chips_count)

print(f"Buying cola and chips cost a total of: {total_cost} yuan")
      Output would be: Buying cola and chips cost a total of: 22 yuan

  • Scenario: Don't understand what a piece of code does.

    • Prompt: "Help me explain what this Python code does:
      python
      name = input("Please enter your name: ")
print("Hello, " + name + "! Welcome to the world of AI!")
```"
    • AI output:
      This code is simple:
1.  `input("Please enter your name: ")` will display "Please enter your name: " on screen, then wait for you to input text (e.g., your name), and store the input in the variable `name`.
2.  `print(...)` will print a sentence on screen, incorporating the name you just entered, forming a welcome message, e.g., if you entered "Zhang San", it shows "Hello, Zhang San! Welcome to the world of AI!".

5.5 Control Style: Serious, lively, professional, switch as you like! ​

  • Scenario: Friend asks why you always crave hot pot, want a humorous reply.

    • Prompt: "Use a humorous, funny tone to answer 'Why can't I always control wanting to eat hot pot?', under 50 words."
    • AI output: "Hai! Of course! Hot pot is the switch for human happiness! Boiling red oil is the heartbeat, tripe seven up eight down is the soul! You're not out of control, your stomach is expressing your love for life! 😂"

  • Scenario: Write a formal notice for community water outage.

    • Prompt: "Write a 50-word water outage notice, tone should be formal and serious, to be posted in the community owners' group."
    • AI output: "[Water Outage Notice] Dear residents: To coordinate with municipal pipeline maintenance, our community plans to suspend water supply tomorrow (Month X, Day X) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please store water in advance. We apologize for any inconvenience. XX Property Service Center"

6. Five Little Tricks to "Power Up" Your Prompts ​

Want AI to understand you better and become your得力 assistant? Try these five simple, practical tips—easy for beginners to master!

6.1 Goal Clear, No Nonsense ​

Like ordering food, directly say "Kung Pao Chicken," don't say "随便来个下饭的" (随便来个下饭的 means "随便 give me something appetizing").

  • Not so good: "Write something for me." (AI: Write what? Poem? Novel? Code?)
  • Better: "Help me write an 80-word thank-you email to Manager Wang for the help in yesterday afternoon's meeting, tone should be sincere and professional."
  • AI might write: "Dear Manager Wang: Thank you very much for your valuable advice and support in the project meeting yesterday afternoon, it was very enlightening. Once again, sincere thanks! Look forward to more opportunities to learn from you in the future. Best regards! Xiao Li"

6.2 Provide Enough "Background Info," AI Less Likely to Stray ​

Tell AI some context or relevant situations so it better understands your needs.

  • Scenario: Want to praise a colleague in the company group chat.
  • Prompt: "Help me write a 50-word praise message for the company large group. Main content is thanking colleague Xiao Zhang for staying up late yesterday helping me resolve that urgent customer complaint, performance was特别给力. Tone should be sincere, with a bit of team spirit."
  • AI output: "Must give Xiao Zhang a big thumbs up! 👍 Yesterday's urgent customer matter, thanks to him staying up late together to handle it, professional and reliable! With such a capable comrade, our team can handle anything! Thanks Xiao Zhang! @Xiao Zhang"

6.3 Imitate "Examples," Effect Doubled ​

Show AI a "template," and it can better mimic the style or format you want.

  • Scenario: Want to write a couplet about reading.
  • Prompt:
    Please imitate the example below to write a couplet:

[Example]
Theme: Spring Festival
Couplet: Firecrackers bid farewell to the old year, Plum blossoms welcome the new spring.

[Your turn now]
Theme: Reading
Couplet: ?
  • AI output: Diligence is the path to the mountain of knowledge, Perseverance is the boat on the endless sea of learning. (Or: Ink fragrance accompanies the lamp, Wisdom glimmers moistens the heart.)

6.4 Reject "Vagueness," Specify "Details" ​

The more specific you are, the better AI knows what to do.

  • Not so good: "Write me an ad." (AI: Ad for what product? For whom? What style?)
  • Better: "Write a 30-word promotional slogan for my pour-over coffee shop, highlight 'freshly ground' and 'suitable for morning refreshment,' attract nearby office workers."
  • AI output: "A cup of freshly ground good coffee in the morning, awakens your work inspiration! XX Cafe, with fresh aroma, starts your energetic day! ☀️ #OfficeWorkerLifeline"

6.5 Patiently "Debug," Continuously Optimize ​

Don't expect AI to be perfect on the first try. Try multiple times, like polishing jade, adjust your prompts, and results will get better and better.

  • First attempt: "Briefly introduce the Forbidden City."
    • (Result might be too encyclopedic, too dry)
  • Optimized prompt: "Use about 100 words to introduce the Forbidden City to a friend visiting Beijing for the first time, highlight its historical status and must-see spots, tone can be relaxed."
    • AI output: "The Forbidden City is where the emperor used to live,超级大! Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties worked and lived here. Red walls, yellow tiles, very majestic! Inside you can see the emperor's throne (Hall of Supreme Harmony), stroll through the后宫 (Imperial Garden), feel the imperial grandeur. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, walking till your legs ache is common!"

7. Fine-tuning AI Output: "Temperature" & "Length" ​

Besides carefully crafting prompts, you can also influence AI's response style and length by adjusting two small "switches." Beginners just need to know these two:

7.1 Temperature ​

  • What is it?: Think of it as controlling the "creativity" or "divergence" of AI's answers. Value is usually between 0 and 1.
    • Low temperature (e.g., 0.1 - 0.3): AI answers will be more conservative, rigorous,倾向于 facts and most common expressions. Suitable for scenarios needing accurate information, like answering factual questions, summarizing.
    • High temperature (e.g., 0.7 - 1.0): AI answers will be more creative, random, might come up with unexpected ideas. Suitable for scenarios needing inspiration, fun, like writing stories, brainstorming ideas.
  • How to use? (Different AI tools may have different settings, usually found in settings)
    • Example 1: Low temperature (set to 0.2)
      • Prompt: "What are the must-visit parks in Beijing?"
      • AI output (likely more standard): Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven Park, Beihai Park.
    • Example 2: High temperature (set to 0.9)
      • Prompt: "Use an exaggerated, funny tone to describe Beijing's summer."
      • AI output (likely more放飞): Beijing's summer? It's literally a walking sauna, going out with a五花肉 effect, no need for cumin! The sun is so enthusiastic it's like wanting to become sworn brothers, the AC is the lifesaver! 🤣

7.2 Output Length (Max Length / Max Tokens) ​

  • What is it?: As the name says, controls the length of AI's response.
  • How to use?
    • Method 1 (recommended): Directly state in the prompt, e.g., "Use about 50 words to introduce...", "Write a paragraph under 100 words..."
    • Method 2: In the AI tool's settings, find options like "Max Output Length" or "Max Tokens" to set a limit. (Token can be roughly understood as the unit of text AI processes; one Chinese character might be 1-2 tokens)
  • Example:
    • Prompt: "Summarize the main characteristics of pandas in one sentence."
    • AI output (naturally very short): Pandas are known for their black-and-white fur, round bodies, and love for eating bamboo.

Beginner tips:

  • Want AI to answer questions properly? Lower the temperature (e.g., 0.2).
  • Want AI to think outside the box for surprises? Raise the temperature (e.g., 0.8).
  • Want a specific response length? Best to state it directly in the prompt, e.g., "Write me a 300-word..."

8. FAQ (Beginners Look Here!) ​

Q1: I know zero tech, can I really learn to use prompt engineering? A: Absolutely yes! The core of prompt engineering is "speaking clearly." Imagine it as communicating with a very smart but somewhat "single-minded" assistant. You just need to use everyday language to assign tasks clearly, like writing an email, answering a question, brainstorming ideas—no programming knowledge needed. The examples in this guide are in plain language, just follow along!

Q2: If I'm not satisfied with AI's answer, what should I do? Am I too dumb? A: Of course not! AI isn't omnipotent either, sometimes it确实 "acts silly." At such times, definitely don't get discouraged; trying multiple times is normal: * Add some ingredients: Try adding constraints in the prompt, like "write for my mom to read", "use simpler words", "must include XX keywords". * Give a template: Refer to the "few-shot prompting" mentioned earlier, give it an example to learn from. * Ask differently: Same meaning, try a different angle. E.g., instead of "write a story," try "help me outline a short story about friendship, include cause, process, outcome, about 150 words".

Q3: Is there any "universal formula" or template I can use? A: While there's no absolute "universal formula," this thinking framework can help you get started: [Role you want AI to play (optional)] + [Task you want AI to complete] + [Key requirements/constraints (e.g., format, length, tone, style, audience, must include/exclude)] + [Provide example(s) (optional)]

*   **Example 1 (write copy)**: "**[Role: Senior ad copywriter]** **[Task: Write a 100-word ad slogan]** **[Requirements: Promote newly launched smartwatch, highlight health monitoring and long battery life, tone should be tech-savvy, attract young people]**"
*   **Example 2 (translation)**: "**[Task: Translate 'Eat a good breakfast' into authentic American English]** **[Requirements: Tone should be colloquial, like a reminder between friends]**"
*   **Example 3 (explain concept)**: "**[Role: Patient teacher]** **[Task: Use simple language to explain what 'cloud computing' is]** **[Requirements: Use an analogy, so someone with zero tech knowledge can understand, under 150 words]**"

9. Conclusion: Say Goodbye to Beginner Status, You Can Easily "Command" AI Too! ​

Congratulations! Reading patiently this far, you've mastered the basics of interacting with AI—the入门 skills of prompt engineering. From how to speak clearly, to giving AI examples, adjusting its "temperament" (temperature), you should now feel more confident in directing this smart "little helper."

Now, you can try having AI help you with:

  • Writing attractive social posts, professional emails, heartfelt Taobao reviews.
  • Answering life's questions, planning a spontaneous trip, tutoring your child's homework.
  • Translating foreign languages you don't understand, polishing your writing, even writing some simple code.

Don't hesitate, try it out now!

  1. Find an AI tool you're comfortable with (e.g., domestic ones like Wenxin Yiyan, Xunfei Xinghuo, or international ones like ChatGPT, Claude, Grok).
  2. Practice using the examples from this article, like "help write a 30-word ad for my coffee shop" or "explain how rainbows form in language kids can understand."
  3. Try adjusting the prompt a few times, see if AI's answers become more to your liking?

Remember, practice and experiment, and you'll quickly go from AI beginner to an "old hand" who can easily驾驭 AI! Enjoy the convenience and fun AI brings!