If you choose to use generative AI (with the required permission from your course leader) it is important to use the software effectively.

Some generative AI tools (such as Copilot, ChatGPT or DALL·E 2) require a prompt in the form of text. Other tools may have a series of prompts for users to select in order to generate content, or they may require a file to be uploaded.

Developing effective text-based prompts

The table below shows the CLEAR Framework developed by Dr Leo Lo, which you can use to think about how to develop effective prompts to use with generative AI tools to get the most out of them.

Category	Description	Example
Clear	Be specific Use simple language Prioritise critical information	“Write a profile of the company Lucy & Yak, describing their market position.” "Give six examples of metaphors relating to depression that can be used in dramatherapy."
Logical	Structure info in order (logical flow) Establish context and relationships Avoid too many instructions in a single prompt	"Provide a detailed analysis of the chosen company including information relating to the company’s market position, its recent business performance, its competitive set, the strategic challenges it faces and the direction it is moving in." "Describe how the use of these metaphors can provide a symbolic and containing function for emotional material."
Explicit	Define instructions Set reading levels and output formats Assign a role for the generative AI to play	"You are an undergraduate business student." "Apply these strategic frameworks to the profile: Value Chain; Life Cycles and Porter's 5 Forces" "Create a table from this information with the headers framework, description and analysis." "You are a dramatherapist." "Present a bullet point list."
Adaptive	Be flexible (rephrase, restructure) Try different approaches Be creative with prompts	“Actually, that’s not what I meant. I meant ___________.” “Could you provide more examples?”
Reflective	Carefully evaluate AI responses Identify areas for improvement (it takes time) Use insights to further refine strategies for engagement	Trust but verify! Don’t assume that the tool is returning factual information. Consider questions like: Can I verify the information using other sources? Does the generated content make sense based on what I already know about the topic?

Source: University of Alberta Library (2024) 'Using generative AI'. Available at: https://guides.library.ualberta.ca/generative-ai/how-to-use (Accessed: 19 June 2024).

CLEAR Framework reproduced with permission from Dr Leo Lo.