[ 6 minute read ]

Exploring the vast capabilities of A.I. text generators often lead us to the realm of rewriting existing content and prompting simply, but effectively.

Whether it's enhancing marketing material, breathing new life into old blog articles, or even aiding students with impending essay deadlines, A.I. comes across as a magical genie, offering a wealth of content possibilities at the touch of a button. It's an opportunity that's all within our grasp.

Yet, frustration can arise when the output from A.I. fails to meet our expectations. The root of this issue lies in our ability to effectively communicate our desires to the content generators.

The art of prompting lies in carefully crafting our requests, ensuring precision and thoughtfulness in our choice of words. The way we ask, along with the subtleties embedded within our prompt, is just as crucial as the content we seek.

To come: 29 of the best prompting verbs

One common plea for assistance that frequently echoes is: "Why does 'rewrite' merely produce repetitions?"

The Limitations of the "Rewrite" Prompt:

At times, utilising a prompt like "rewrite this essay" may yield a result that appears to be a mere duplicate. Many wonder why they aren't presented with an entirely new piece of content.

However, let's step into the shoes of the A.I. or even better, envision ourselves as a student being disciplined after school, rewriting line after line of sentences.

When we provide a sentence and ask the A.I. to rewrite it, the A.I. interprets our request quite literally, resulting in repetition. Instead of rephrasing your article, or adding new sections, ChatGPT will quite literally repeat what you’ve said. In fact, you need to be much clearer to get the output you want.

Choosing the right words matters in prompt engineering

When seeking the assistance of a human personal assistant to "rewrite" a draft, the intention is not to generate entirely new content from scratch. It typically involves a second run-through or a polishing process. However, the literal interpretation of commands by AI can result in verbatim content and plagiarism, which fails to capture the desired outcome.

Even under the best circumstances, a "rewrite" often produces a pale imitation of the original. Requests such as "completely rewrite" or "use completely new words" also fall short, as they overlook the importance of retaining keywords, conjunctions, articles, prepositions, and other linguistic elements. Ultimately, what is sought is content that appears and sounds original.

To overcome these challenges, it’s absolutely crucial to be precise and intentional with language and word choices.

Again and again I’ve reinforced my view that AI cannot completely replace writing skills.

Instead, natural language processing (NLP) amplifies our ability to articulate thoughts effectively, making writers and automators far more efficient and capable.

AI has the potential to transform average writers into good writers, good writers into exceptional ones, and exceptional writers into prolific ones. However, it should be noted that it can also exacerbate the shortcomings of poor writers. Unfortunately, this is somewhat forgotten in the current market.

So, how does prompt engineering come into play?

Before formulating prompts, it’s essential to reflect on what is truly desired. The term "rewrite" is bland and lacks specificity, leading to lacklustre output.

The principle of "crap in, crap out" applies here. So, to achieve optimal results, it’s wise to infuse language with action and clearly express what you want your output to look like from the outset. Get this right and you’ll be a happy AI user.

So, let’s summarise.

• 💡 "Completely rewrite" or "use completely new words" fail to consider the importance of retaining linguistic elements.

• ✍️ Verbs are vital for actively transforming the text.

• 📝 When requesting a rewrite, a second run-through or polish is typically expected, not entirely new content.

• 🚫 Literal interpretation by AI can result in verbatim content and plagiarism.

• 🧠 AI enhances writing skills but cannot replace them.

• 🗣️ NLP emphasizes the significance of articulating thoughts effectively.

• 📉 AI can elevate writers from average to exceptional, but it may also exacerbate the shortcomings of poor writers.

• 🔍 Precise language and word choices are essential for effective prompt engineering.

• 🎯 Clear and specific prompts lead to better output.

• 💩 "Crap in, crap out" applies if prompts lack precision.

Verbs To Improve Output

So, how do we ask an AI model like ChatGPT to give us better outputs? In the first instance, we can take a deep dive into verbs. For example instead of rewrite, we can add;

1. Explain: Enhance clarity in the rewrite by providing a clearer meaning of concepts or ideas.

2. Reinterpret: Introduce alternative meanings or understandings in the rewritten content.

3. Simplify: Make the language more accessible and reduce complexity in the rewritten version.

4. Elaborate: Add additional details and explanations to enrich the points being made.

5. Amplify: Strengthen the message or emphasise key points in the rewrite.

6. Clarify: Enhance clarity by making confusing statements or points more explicit.

7. Adapt: Modify the text to suit a different audience or achieve a different purpose.

8. Modernise: Update outdated language or concepts to align with current trends or standards.

9. Reframe: Alter the perspective or shift the focus of the text during the rewriting process.

10. Summarise: Provide a concise overview of a lengthy topic in the rewrite.

11. Expand: Offer a more comprehensive understanding of the subject by adding further details.

12. Formalise: Transform informal or casual language into a more professional or formal style, suitable for business or academic contexts.

13. Informalise: Use a more colloquial and relaxed tone in the rewrite, suitable for social media posts, blogs, or email campaigns.

14. Condense: Focus on key points and make the rewritten version shorter and more concise.

15. Reiterate: Highlight specific points or ideas more prominently in the rewrite.

16. Diversify: Introduce variety in sentence structure or vocabulary to make the rewritten content more engaging.

17. Neutralise: Remove bias or personal opinion from the text, resulting in a more objective rewrite.

18. Streamline: Eliminate unnecessary content or fluff to create a more streamlined and focused version.

19. Enrich/Embellish: Add captivating details or embellishments to make the rewrite more captivating.

20. Illustrate: Provide relevant examples to better elucidate the points being made in the rewrite.

21. Synthesise: Combine different pieces of information or ideas to create a cohesive rewrite.

22. Sensationalise: Infuse the rewrite with a more dramatic tone, perfect for generating attention and creating click-worthy content.

23. Humanise: Add a personal touch to the text, making it more relatable and engaging, particularly suitable for blogs or informal writing.

24. Elevate: Prompt a rewrite that showcases sophistication and impressiveness in its style and presentation.

25. Illuminate: Encourage a rewrite that is exceptionally clear and enlightening, leaving no room for ambiguity.

26. Enliven/Energise: Infuse the rewrite with liveliness and interest, making it more captivating for the readers.

27. Soft-pedal: Tone down the intensity of the text, creating a more mellow and mild-mannered rewrite, ideal for research-based content or evidence-based testimonials.

28. Exaggerate: Utilise hyperbole to create a more attention-grabbing and exaggerated version, particularly effective for sales pitches (while being mindful of factual accuracy).

29. Downplay: Foster a more subdued and understated tone in the rewrite, suitable for presenting information in a straightforward and evidence-based manner.

P.S. you can also ask the model to increase ‘burstiness’ or ‘perplexity’.

Whereas perplexity is the randomness or complexity of the word usage, burstiness is the variance of the sentences: their lengths, structures, and tempos.

For example, a good prompt could be:

Enhancing text is an art form that allows you to unlock the full potential of language. With a creative approach, tailored audience appeal, and the right choice of words, you can transform your content into an engaging masterpiece.

Remember, as an AI prompt engineer, your prompt is a parameter that shapes the output. So, choose your verbs wisely, infusing the desired tone and energy into your instructions. Get ready to witness the magic unfold!

Want to get ahead? Check out these tutorials.

1. Introduction to generative AI (Google) - Click here

2. Prompt Engineering for Developers - click here

3. Using ChatGPT to learn any skill in the world - click here

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