1. Powerful storytelling
Welcome back!
2. From FBI negotiations to powerful storytelling
In the last lesson, we explored how to use XML tags to structure prompts in a negotiation scenario.
3. From FBI negotiations to powerful storytelling
Today, we’re honing into something innate to us humans: the art of storytelling.
4. Your guiding structure
I’ve found the following 5-step writing structure pivotal to extracting the most value from ChatGPT for powerful storytelling: persona, framework, specifications, example, and topic. It can be remembered with a simple acronym: PFSET. Let’s dive in.
5. 1. Persona
Adopting a persona ensures ChatGPT’s output is specific, relevant, and useful. Instead of simply stating, “You are a writing expert,” we add detail: it plays on human emotions, sparks intrigue, is counter-narrative, and makes people stop and think.
6. 1. Persona
The quality of your output is only as good as the quality of your input, so it’s essential to consider what relevant details you can include inside your persona.
7. 2. Framework
The framework determines the style of your response. It’s like having bumpers up on your bowling lane so that the ball doesn't land in the gutter. A framework steers your prompt to get the output you deserve.
8. 2. Framework
For our framework, we’re using PAIPS, a variation of the problem, agitate, solution, or PAS copywriting framework.
9. 2. Framework - Problem
Firstly, we highlight something painful, the problem, to get an emotional response from the reader.
10. 2. Framework - Agitate
We agitate this problem even further to really get under their skin.
11. 2. Framework - Intrigue
Now we spark intrigue. This transitions from problem to solution.
12. 2. Framework - Positive future
Next, we paint a positive future. This is what a solution could look like and how it could make you feel.
13. 2. Framework - Solution
The final step is to present the solution itself. We have now constructed our narrative arc and this completes our five-step PAIPS writing framework.
14. 2. Framework
By describing each step, we provide the necessary context for ChatGPT to craft a seasoned response.
15. 3. Specifications
How does ChatGPT control the length and output format of our response? We direct this through specifications.
We also want to infuse Hemingway’s focus on action and dialogue to create clear, impactful, and succinct content that engages readers without unnecessary wording.
You can adjust these specifications according to the context of your writing, whether it be an email, a social media post, or even a short story for a friend.
16. 4. Example
Now, it’s time to give ChatGPT an example to fine-tune its response. The example we provide ChatGPT doesn't have to match the topic we want to write about, but it gives ChatGPT the framework to build its response from.
This is called one-shot prompting. We’re providing a model answer for ChatGPT to replicate. It’s a bit like seeing the answers to a test and knowing how to meet the criteria.
17. 5. Topic
The final part of this prompt structure is the topic you choose to write about. It’s important you include sufficient detail here to avoid ChatGPT spouting generalized answers.
Let your creativity run wild. It's up to you to choose any topic you can imagine. The more context you can provide, the better your output will be.
18. Result
As we can see, ChatGPT splits its response into five distinct sections of the PAIPS writing framework.
19. Result
This is thanks to us defining the persona, setting the framework, outlining our specifications, demonstrating an example and including a topic.
Using the PFSET writing structure, you can go beyond crafting basic prompts and get the most out of ChatGPT.
20. Let's practice!
Now it’s your turn to try it out.