Show an Example

Relax. We'll talk through this in plain words — no textbook voice.

What you'll walk away with

Understand Show an Example without it feeling intimidating
Get hands-on practice using it yourself
Learn to spot and sidestep invented facts and secret-sharing, with a smile

Take a breath — this chapter is written to be read like a conversation, not a textbook, so it's easy to follow.

Let's Think About It for a Second

People say "like this." Models like examples too — it's called few-shot. No need to remember the term. One good example is enough; ten confuses things. Don't show what you don't want in the example. Show the waiter a photo of the plate and it's faster than words. Show ten photos and they'll ask which one.

Connect It to Everyday Life

Asking for questions? Write one sample question yourself and show it. Asking for a summary? Show one sample summary. Bad — showing a long answer you dislike and just saying "not like that." Better — show the shape you want, then say "do 3 more like this." Make up the details in the example. Don't use anything sensitive.

Show one good example
No more than 3 examples
Don't use what you don't want as an example

Let's Try It Together

text

Make 3 questions in this shape:

Example:
Q: Why do plants need sunlight?
A: (leave empty for the student)

You should see

You can write a prompt that's clearer with one example.

Try It in 5 Minutes

Write a vague prompt. Add one example. Say one line about what got clearer.

A Quick Heads-Up

A model will faithfully copy a mistake sitting in your example. Read your own example before sending it.

Easy traps

Describing the shape at length instead of showing an example
Mixing in contradictory examples

Try It Yourself Now

Write a vague prompt. Add one example. Say one line about what got clearer.

You'll know it worked when: You can write a prompt that's clearer with one example.