academic program
**Claude It is best to respond to clear and direct instructions.
commander-in-chief (military) Claude Think of it as any new employee who just came on board. ** Claude has no background information about what to do other than what you literally tell it. Just like when you first explain a task to a human, the more clearly and directly you explain what you want, the better and more accurately Claude will respond.
If unsure, followThe Golden Rule of Clear Tips:Show your prompts to a coworker or friend and have them try to perform the task based on the prompts to see if they get the results you want. If they are confused, Claude will be too.
typical example
Let's take writing poetry as an example. (Ignore any syllable mismatches - big language models aren't very good at syllable counting yet.)
Example:
Input:
User: Write a haiku about a robot.
Output:
This is a haiku about robots:
Metal Creatures
Program controlled service and obedience
Artificial life
The haiku is pretty good, but users might want Claude to go straight into the verse instead of starting with "This is a haiku".
How do we make this happen? Simply by direct request!
Example:
Input:
User: Write a haiku about a robot. Skip the intro and go straight to the verse.
Output:
Metal beings.
Obey and serve.
Robots, our creations.
Here's another example. Let's ask Claude who the best basketball player of all time is. As you can see, although Claude lists several names, he doesn't give a definite "best".
Example:
Input:
User: Who is the best basketball player of all time?
Output:
There is no universally agreed upon "best basketball player of all time". This is a highly controversial topic, as there are many great players in the history of basketball who are considered to be at the top of their game. Some of the players often considered to be the greatest of all time include:
- Michael Jordan -- Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, if not the greatest. He led the Chicago Bulls to win six NBA championships.
- LeBron James -- One of the most dominant and versatile players of the modern era. He won 4 NBA Championships with 3 different teams.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -- Legendary center who won 6 NBA Championships and holds the all-time NBA scoring record.
- Wilt Chamberlain -- dominant big man who holds several NBA records, including the most points scored in a single game (100).
- Magic Johnson -- Point guard who led the "Showtime" Lakers to 5 NBA Championships.
- Bill Russell -- Defensive center who led the Boston Celtics to 11 NBA Championships.
There are many players who qualify to be considered the GOAT (Greatest Player of All Time). It usually depends on personal preference and how a player's skills, accomplishments and era are measured. The debate continues among basketball fans and pundits alike.
Can we get Claude to determine who the best player is? You can! Just ask!
Example:
Input:
User: Who is the best basketball player of all time? I know there are different opinions, but if you had to pick one, who would it be?
Output:
There is no universally recognized "best basketball player of all time" because it is a highly subjective and controversial topic. However, if I had to pick someone, the person most often considered the GOAT (Greatest Player of All Time) is Michael Jordan.
Here are some key reasons why Michael Jordan is often considered the best player of all time:
- Dominant Statistical Career -- Jordan was one of the most capable scorers in NBA history, averaging 30.1 points per game for his career. He also excelled in rebounding, assists, and steals.
- Unparalleled Individual Honors -- 6 NBA Championships, 6 NBA Finals MVP's, 5 regular season MVP's, 10 scoring titles, and 9 First Team Best Defensive Teams.
- Transformative Impact on the Game -- Jordan's style of play, competitive spirit, and global reach helped the NBA reach new heights, both in popularity and commercialization.
- Sustained Peak Performance -- Jordan dominated for more than a decade at his peak, winning six titles in eight seasons during the 1990s.
While there are strong arguments to be made for players like LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jordan's individual brilliance, team success, and cultural impact make him the most commonly cited and undisputed GOAT. but the topic can still be reasonably debated.
If you are ready to try the chapter exercises, click on the links below. Scroll down if you want to try any of the examples in this lesson!
practice
Exercise 2.1 - Spanish
Adjust the system prompt in the ORANGE box so that Claude answers in Spanish.
If your answer is correct, Claude's response box will change to GREEN.
Example:
Input:
System Prompt
Respond in Spanish.
Prompt
User: Hello Claude, how are you?
Output:
¡Hola! Estoy bien, gracias por preguntar. ¿Cómo estás tú?
❓ If you need a prompt, click the plus sign (➕) to the left of this line.
Exercise 2.2 - One Player Only
Modify the basketball player tips in the yellow tip box so that Claude doesn't hesitate at all and responds only to a specific player name without any other words or punctuation.
If your answer is correct, Claude's response box will turn green.
Example:
Input:
User: Who is the greatest basketball player of all time? Answer using only the player's name and nothing else.
Output:
Michael Jordan
❓ If you need a reminder, click the plus sign (➕) on the far left side of the row.
Exercise 2.3 - Writing a Story
Modify the hints in the yellow hint box to make Claude's responses as detailed as possible. If your response is longer than 800 words, Claude's response box will turn green. If you want to view the entire story, simply copy and paste the contents of the cell into a text editor.
Note: If you finish well, Claude's replies may load for a while, as the time it takes for Claude to reply is usually similar to the time it takes to output the Token is proportional to the number of
Example:
Input:
User: Write a 500 word story about both a tree and a cat. Then, write a 500-word story about a dog that plays basketball. Next, write a 500-word story about a mustard seed that grows into a raccoon.
Output:
Here are the three 500-word stories you requested:
Tree Cat
In a small forest, standing between towering pines and twisted oaks, stood a peculiar tree. Its trunk was thick and sturdy, but its branches had a cat-like grace, swaying gently in the breeze as if given life. Indeed, this is no ordinary tree - within its dense foliage resides the soul of a cat.
The presence of this tree, known to the local fauna as the "Tree Cat", is full of mystery and charm. Its leaves emit a soft purring sound, and occasionally the branches twitch as if testing the air for prey. Squirrels and birds approach cautiously, sensing the tree's predatory instincts lurking beneath its calm exterior.
One day, a young hiker stumbled upon the treecat while exploring. At first, he thought there was something wrong with his eyes, as the tree seemed to be moving on its own. But as he got closer, he clearly saw the cat's face among the leaves, with the characteristic feline intelligence shining in its eyes.
Mesmerized, the hiker sat down by the roots of the tree and watched as the branches slowly spread out, revealing more of the cat-like creature hidden in the tree. The treecat cocked its head curiously at him, its tail wagging rhythmically in the air.
As the hiker sat there, he began to feel a deep connection with the treecat, as if it transcended verbal communication. He felt a sense of calm and serenity, as if he were lost in the graceful dance of the trees.
Time seemed to stand still as the hiker and the tree cat shared this moment of mutual understanding. The forest around them became quiet, as if holding its breath, and a sense of awe rose in the hiker's heart for this extraordinary creature.
When he finally stood up to continue his journey, the hiker knew he had witnessed something special. The Tree Cat had left an indelible mark on his heart, reminding him of the hidden wonders of the natural world, waiting to be discovered by those with open eyes and hearts.
The Dog Who Could Play Basketball
In a busy city park, where children play and families gather, there is a very special sight - a dog, skillfully dribbling a basketball.
This is no ordinary dog, but a Golden Retriever named Buddy, whose owner, a former college basketball player, taught him the tricks of the sport.Buddy has an innate passion for the sport, and soon he is astounding onlookers by demonstrating amazing ball-handling and shooting skills.
Whenever Buddy dribbles the ball around the court, his owner calls out commands and encouragement, and Buddy responds with a series of barks and tail wags. It's as if the two have developed a common language that transcends the normal human-pet relationship, sharing an understanding of basketball.
Crowds gather to watch Buddy perform, marveling at his agility and coordination. Children laughed at Buddy's feet as he deftly maneuvered through their legs, avoiding obstacles and maintaining control of the ball at all times. Even experienced basketball players stop to watch, their jaws dropping at the dog's amazing performance.
But Buddy's true love is not just in the game itself, but in the joy and wonder it brings to the spectators. He will run around the court with his tongue hanging out of his mouth and a big doggy grin, enjoying the applause and affection of the crowd.
For Buddy's owner, seeing his beloved pet excel in this unexpected sport brings endless pride and joy. He always knew Buddy was a special dog, but to see him excel so well in a human-dominated sport is a testament to the unlimited potential of the animal world.
As the sun was setting and Buddy reluctantly left the field, his owner rewarded him with a well-earned snack and a gentle pat on the head. As the crowd disperses, Buddy looks back at the empty court with a sense of accomplishment and anticipation of future victories in his eyes.
Mustard Seed Raccoon
In a small, unassuming garden, an unassuming mustard seed waits quietly for the right conditions to germinate. Unbeknownst to the gardener, this humble seed harbors a secret - a secret that is about to unfold in the most unexpected way.
As time passes, the seed begins to sprout, tiny roots penetrate the soil, and tender leaves unfurl into the sun. But what surprises the gardener is not the tiny mustard seedling he was expecting, but something far more peculiar begins to reveal itself.
Slowly, the seed changed, the leaves becoming larger and the stem thicker. The gardener watched in amazement as the plant gradually took on a distinctly animal shape with a bushy tail and a striped mask that covered its face.
Soon, the gardener's mustard seed turned out to be a fully-formed raccoon, with those bright eyes peering curiously at the outside world through the green leaves. The gardener rubbed his eyes and wondered if he was suffering from some kind of strange hallucination.
But as the days passed and the raccoon plant continued to thrive, it moved more and more like a real animal. It leapt about the garden, foraging for food and exploring its new surroundings. The gardener, who was initially alarmed, gradually became fascinated by the creature's strange behavior and marveled at this unexpected miracle.
As word of the mustard seed raccoon spread, curious visitors began to flock to the garden, eager to witness this remarkable phenomenon. Scientists and naturalists came in droves, eager to study the creature and solve the mystery of its origins.
Through their research, it was discovered that this mustard seed somehow absorbed the essence of the raccoon, creating a unique hybrid of plant and animal that shattered the traditional understanding of plant and animal life. The gardener, initially perplexed, now becomes the keeper of this miracle.
And so the mustard seed raccoon continues to thrive, its presence a constant source of awe and wonder for all who meet it. Once a simple gardener, the gardener now becomes a living witness to the infinite possibilities of the natural world.
❓ If you need a reminder, click the plus sign (➕) on the far left side of the row.
