STEP Prompting Basics: A Beginner's Guide to Better AI Conversations

Ever asked AI for something and got a totally different result than what you wanted? Or maybe you’ve found yourself going back and forth with AI for ten messages, trying to explain what you mean, only to end up more frustrated than when you started? You’re not alone! I’ve been there too - stuck in endless loops where I keep clarifying and rephrasing, but the AI still doesn’t quite get it. After my own struggles with getting AI to understand what I wanted, I created the STEP framework - a simple way to get better results from AI in fewer tries.

What is STEP?

I developed STEP as a simple framework to help anyone write better prompts. Think of it as a recipe for getting what you want from AI:

• Specify: Tell AI exactly what you want
• Teach: Give it important background info
• Example: Show what you’re looking for
• Polish: Make it better through feedback

Specify: Be Clear About What You Want

Instead of saying “Write about dogs,” try something like: “Write a 3-paragraph introduction about golden retrievers as family pets, speaking as an experienced veterinarian.”

See the difference? The second one tells AI:

• What you want (an introduction)
• How long it should be (3 paragraphs)
• The specific topic (golden retrievers)
• The focus (as family pets)
• Who’s speaking (a veterinarian)

Teach: Give Some Background

Help AI understand your situation. For example: “I’m writing a blog post for first-time dog owners. The readers are mostly young families living in apartments.”

This tells AI:

• Who the content is for
• What context to consider
• What details might be important

Example: Show What You Mean

Sometimes showing is better than telling. Here’s an example:

“Write in this style: ‘Golden retrievers are gentle giants with hearts of gold. Known for their patient nature and loving personality, they excel at being both playful companions and calm family members.‘”

Now AI knows exactly what tone and style you want!

Polish: Make It Better

Don’t be afraid to ask for changes! If the first response isn’t quite right, try: “That’s good, but can you make it simpler for new dog owners?” or “Could you add a sentence about grooming needs?”

Putting It All Together

Here’s a complete prompt using STEP:

Write 3 friendly paragraphs about golden retrievers as family pets, speaking as an experienced veterinarian who specializes in family dogs. This is for first-time dog owners (young families in apartments) who are worried about space and exercise needs.

Please write in this style: "Golden retrievers are gentle giants with hearts of gold. Known for their patient nature and loving personality, they excel at being both playful companions and calm family members."

Tips for Success

1. Start Simple

   • Begin with basic prompts
   • Add more detail as you get comfortable
   • Practice with topics you know well

2. Be Specific

   • Say exactly what you want
   • Mention any important limits
   • Tell AI who it’s for

3. Learn from Results

   • Notice what works
   • Save good prompts
   • Try small changes to improve

Remember

You don’t need to use every part of STEP every time. For simple requests, just being specific might be enough. The framework is there to help when you need it!

Quick Examples

Bad Prompt: “help me write my essay about climate change”

Better Prompt: “Write a 5-paragraph high school essay about climate change’s effects on ocean ecosystems. Act as an environmental science teacher explaining the topic to 10th grade students. Include specific examples of coral bleaching and rising sea temperatures.”

Bad Prompt: “how do you do a resume”

Better Prompt: “Create a one-page resume template for a recent college graduate in marketing. Write as an experienced HR professional. Include sections for education, internships, and relevant skills. Use a professional but modern style.”

Bad Prompt: “analysis shakespeare please”

Better Prompt: “As a 12th grade English teacher, analyze the theme of ambition in Act 1 of Macbeth. Write 3 paragraphs focusing on Macbeth’s initial character development. This is for students preparing for their final essay.”

Conclusion Getting better at prompts is like learning any new skill - start small and practice! The STEP framework is just a tool to help you communicate better with AI. Try it out, see what works for you, and adjust as needed. Want to practice? I’ve created a tool that helps you write stronger prompts using the STEP framework. You’ll fill in each section (Specify, Teach, and Example), and the tool will rate how clear your writing is. It gives you specific feedback on each section to help you make it stronger, plus an overall review of how all the pieces work together. It’s like having a writing coach that helps you craft better prompts! Try it out at https://step-practice.streamlit.app/ Remember: The goal isn’t perfection; it’s getting more helpful responses from AI. Start using these tips today, and you’ll see the difference in your AI conversations!