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What is Instruction?

Core Concept Glossary term: Instruction
Short Answer

A clear command that tells the AI what action to perform.

Instructions are specific commands that tell the AI exactly what to do. They should be clear, actionable, and unambiguous to ensure the AI understands and executes the desired behavior correctly.

Effective instructions include:

  • Action verbs: Clear, specific action words
  • Specificity: Detailed requirements and constraints
  • Format specification: How the output should be structured
  • Quality standards: What constitutes good output
  • Constraints: Limitations and boundaries

💡 Examples

Clear Instruction

Using specific action verbs and clear requirements.

Analyze the following text and provide a 200-word summary in bullet points.
• [Summary point 1] • [Summary point 2] • [Summary point 3]...

✅ Best Practices

  • Use imperative mood (command form)
  • Be specific and detailed
  • Include relevant constraints
  • Specify desired output format
  • Use clear, unambiguous language

🎯 Use Cases

  • Content creation
  • Data analysis
  • Problem solving
  • Format specification
  • Quality control