Phase 1: The Core Prompting Toolkit · 35 min · ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini (any)

Show Examples, Ask for a Format

Two moves that fix most bad output: show the pattern, ask for the shape.

Real-world application: What changes when you use this: your output comes back in the right shape and the right style on the first try, instead of needing three rounds of 'no, not like that.'

What you will learn

Provide 1-3 examples (few-shot) to show the AI exactly what pattern you want
Ask for specific output formats and understand why this alone fixes half of wrong-shaped answers
Use positive instructions instead of 'don't' lists
Combine few-shot examples with format specification for maximum control

Introduction

Show Examples, Ask for a Format

Objective

Write a prompt that uses both few-shot examples and a specific format instruction to produce structured, on-style output for a real task.

Two moves that fix most bad output: show the pattern, ask for the shape.

Unlock the full lesson

You've read the first 2 sections. The rest of this lesson covers The Problem, The Concept, Build, Check Yourself, Key Terms & Next — plus a hands-on lab, quiz, and project artifact.

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