Formatting your Prompts

Proper formatting of prompts is crucial for effective communication with AI models. Here are some tips and tricks on using the formatting languages of the GPT models in markdown and the anthropic models in xml.

Key Concepts

Emphasis

Highlight important information using various text styling techniques.

Structure

Organize your prompt with headings, lists, and nested elements.

Formatting Techniques

Here is everything you need to craft effective prompts in markdown and xml formatting:

Basic Formatting

Headings and Structure

Lists and Steps

Code Blocks

Basic Formatting

Headings and Structure

Lists and Steps

Code Blocks

Basic Structure

<prompt>
   <context>This is the context</context>
   <instruction>This is the main instruction</instruction>
   <important>This is crucial information</important>
   <example>This is an example</example>
 </prompt>

Roles and Dialogue

<conversation>
  <human>What's the weather like today?</human>
  <assistant>I don't have real-time weather data. Please check a reliable weather website or app for your location.</assistant>
</conversation>

Nested Structures

<prompt>
  <context>
    <background>Relevant background information goes here.</background>
    <current_situation>Description of the current scenario.</current_situation>
  </context>
  <task>
    <primary_objective>Main goal of the task</primary_objective>
    <secondary_objectives>
      <objective1>First secondary objective</objective1>
      <objective2>Second secondary objective</objective2>
    </secondary_objectives>
  </task>
</prompt>

Attributes and CDATA

<instruction type="main" priority="high" tone="professional">
  Craft a response addressing the user's concern.
</instruction>
<example_code>
<![CDATA[
def complex_function(x, y):
    return x * y + (x / y) if y != 0 else "Error: Division by zero"
]]>
</example_code>

Always test your formatted prompts to ensure they produce the desired results with your specific AI model.

Advanced Formatting Tips

Combine Formats

For complex prompts, consider using a combination of Markdown and XML techniques to leverage the strengths of both formats.

Model-Specific Formatting

Some AI models have specific formatting preferences:

GPT models typically work well with Markdown
Anthropic models are designed to interpret XML Always consult the model’s documentation for best results.

Test and Iterate

Experiment with different formatting styles and structures. Test your prompts with the target AI model and refine based on the results.

By mastering these formatting techniques and utilizing appropriate structures, you can create highly effective prompts that clearly communicate your intentions to AI models, resulting in more accurate and useful responses.

Now that you know the proper formatting, read our comprehensive guide on how to write your system prompt.

​Key Concepts

Emphasis

Structure

​Formatting Techniques

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Advanced Formatting Tips

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Key Concepts

Formatting Techniques