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Prompts as Programs

  1. 01Prompts as Programs
  2. 02Not a search box
  3. 03Memory card
  4. 04Show, don't just tell
  5. 05See it happen
  6. 06Learning without changing
  7. 07Reinforce your understanding
  8. 08Question: How framing shapes output
  9. 09Question: In-context learning
  10. 10Quiz: answer
  11. 11The prompt shapes the possible
  12. 12Want to go deeper?
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See it happen

Same task, two run-ups. Flip between them.

The vague prompt asks for book recommendations and nothing more. Watch what plausibly follows: shapeless, hedging prose, because a vague opening continues into vague filler.

Now flip to show three examples. The task is identical, but now the run-up ends with three recommendations in a clear shape. Suddenly the most plausible continuation is a fourth, fifth, and sixth in that exact shape. Same model, same request, completely different output, and not one formatting rule was written down.

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