🧠 Prompt Shorthand Styles

📎 Table of Contents

🔰 Quick Start
🗂️ Categories
⭐ Top 10 Shorthands
🔍 Shorthand in Action
📘 Glossary
🧪 Prompt Test Case: Reframe
🤝 Contribute
👥 Credits
❓ FAQ
🧠 Try the Prompt Shorthand Tutor (Custom GPT)

🧰 What Are Prompt Shorthand Styles?

🔰 Quick Start: 10 Prompt Shorthand Styles You Can Use Right Now

Want faster, clearer responses from ChatGPT?
Try starting your prompts with these shorthand styles — no complex setup needed.

Shorthand	What It Does	Example
`ELI5:`	Explains simply, like to a 5-year-old	`ELI5: What is quantum computing?`
`Summarize:`	Gives you the short version	`Summarize: The history of the Roman Empire`
`List:`	Outputs a list of ideas or items	`List: 10 creative blog titles for AI startups`
`Rewrite as...`	Changes tone/style	`Rewrite as a tweet: This is a guide to AI tools`
`Bullet Points:`	Breaks ideas into bullets	`Bullet Points: Benefits of remote work`
`Pros and Cons:`	Compares both sides	`Pros and Cons: Using AI for content writing`
`Give examples:`	Provides sample responses	`Give examples: Good customer support phrases`
`Act as [role]:`	Takes on a persona	`Act as a UX researcher: Analyze this app`
`Humanize:`	Makes formal text sound natural	`Humanize: This email sounds too robotic`
`Quick Fix:`	Suggests fast improvements	`Quick Fix: My headline isn’t working`

Many people refer to them as “hidden codes” or creative shortcuts.
In practice, they’re just smart, reusable instructions that help shape how ChatGPT responds.

These shorthand styles can guide tone, structure, or format — and you’re free to combine or invent your own to suit your needs.

Categories

🎭 Role & Simulation Prompt Shorthands

Table: 🎭 Role & Simulation Prompt Shorthands

Shorthand	What It Does
`Act as [role]:`	Responds as a specific persona or expert
`Role-play as [character/role]:`	Responds in the style of a chosen persona
`Translate to [language]:`	Translates text into another language
`Correct grammar:`	Edits text for grammar and clarity

💬 Style & Tone Prompt Shorthands

Table: 💬 Style & Tone Prompt Shorthands

Shorthand	What It Does
`Humanize:`	Makes text more conversational and natural
`Jargonize:`	Makes text more technical or professional
`Make it persuasive:`	Adjusts tone to be more convincing or motivational
`Rewrite as...`	Changes tone/style (e.g., poem, tweet)
`Haiku-ify:`	Summarizes a topic in the form of a haiku
`Emoji-Explain:`	Explains a concept using emojis and brief captions
`Visualize:`	Describes how to visualize a concept mentally
`Pitch It:`	Sells an idea or product in a persuasive way
`Rewrite for audience:`	Adapts content for a specific audience (e.g., “for children”)
`Condense:`	Makes text shorter without losing key meaning

📝 Structure & Format Prompt Shorthands

Table: 📝 Structure & Format Prompt Shorthands

Shorthand	What It Does
`Outline:`	Creates a structured outline for essays, articles, or projects
`Bullet Points:`	Lists information in bullet points
`Checklist:`	Creates a checklist from content
`Table:`	Presents information in a table format
`Summarize:`	Condenses information into a shorter form
`Summarize in X words:`	Requests a summary with word count limit
`TL;DR:`	Provides a concise summary
`Step-by-step:`	Provides instructions in sequential steps
`Expand:`	Elaborates on a brief idea or summary (also appears in Reasoning)
`Compare:`	Compares two or more items side-by-side
`Summarize in bullets:`	Requests a summary in bullet format
`List:`	Produces an ordered or unordered list
`Pros and Cons Table:`	Outputs a comparison in table format
`Format as:`	Specifies a format like JSON, checklist, etc.
`Output only:`	Suppresses commentary; outputs only the result

🧠 Creative Generation Prompt Shorthands

Table: 🧠 Creative Generation Prompt Shorthands

Shorthand	What It Does
`Brainstorm ideas:`	Offers creative suggestions
`Storyify:`	Turns facts into a short story
`Write a script:`	Produces dialogue for video, podcast, or skit
`Recipe Mode:`	Breaks down a process like a recipe
`Quick Fix:`	Gives a rapid, actionable solution
`Dialogue:`	Simulates a conversation between two or more personas

🧠 Reasoning & Thinking Prompt Shorthands

Table: 🧠 Reasoning & Thinking Prompt Shorthands

Shorthand	What It Does
`CoT:` / `Chain of Thought:`	Encourages step-by-step reasoning
`Think step by step:`	Prompts deliberate problem-solving
`Feynman Technique:`	Breaks down for deep understanding
`Reflect:`	Evaluates or critiques the assistant’s own answer
`Socratic Mode:`	Responds with questions instead of answers
`Debate Mode:`	Presents two opposing viewpoints on a topic
`Counterargument:`	Presents an opposing viewpoint
`Mythbust:`	Identifies and corrects common misconceptions
`Explain with analogy:`	Uses analogies to clarify concepts
`Analogize:`	Explains using a familiar comparison
`Explain pros and cons in a table:`	Combines comparison and format
`Pros and Cons:`	Lists advantages and disadvantages
`Critique:`	Offers critical analysis or feedback
`Critique and improve:`	Gives feedback and a suggested revision
`Expand:`	Elaborates or adds detail to a brief idea
`Step-by-step:`	Sequential instructions (standardized casing used here)
`ZS:`	Zero-shot prompting (no examples given)
`FS:`	Few-shot prompting (with examples given)

🧠 Meta-Prompting & Automated Prompting

Table: 🧠 Meta-Prompting & Automated Prompting Shorthands

These shorthands are used when you want the AI to help generate or improve prompts for specific tasks. Ideal for prompt engineers, tool builders, or teaching assistants.

Shorthand	What It Does
`Generate prompt for:`	AI creates an effective prompt for a given task
`Refine this prompt:`	Iteratively improves a rough or unclear prompt
`Suggest format:`	Recommends a structure for an input prompt
`Diagnose prompt:`	Analyzes why a prompt might not be working well

🧪 Instructional & Educational Prompt Shorthands

Table: 🧪 Instructional & Educational Prompt Shorthands

Shorthand	What It Does
`ELI5:`	Explains simply, like to a 5-year-old
`Quiz me:`	Asks questions to test understanding
`Give examples:`	Provides concrete examples
`List FAQs:`	Generates frequently asked questions on a topic
`Give me talking points:`	Lists key ideas for presentations or discussions
`Zero-shot:`	Responds without any example prompts
`Few-shot:`	Learns from given examples before responding
`Explain like a [role]:`	Adapts explanation for a given role (e.g., lawyer, coach)

🖼️ Multimodal Prompting Shorthands

Table: 🖼️ Multimodal Prompting Shorthands

These shorthand styles are increasingly relevant as LLMs now support images, audio, and video alongside text. Use them when working with multimodal input/output.

Shorthand	What It Does
`Describe image:`	Provides a visual description of an uploaded image
`Analyze audio:`	Transcribes or analyzes spoken audio input
`Summarize video:`	Condenses the content of a video
`MM:`	Indicates a multimodal (text + image + audio) prompt or output mode

🏛️ Sector-Specific Prompt Shorthands

Table: 🏛️ Sector-Specific Prompt Shorthands

These styles are tailored for professional or technical fields. They help translate domain-specific knowledge into clear, accessible language — useful for client-facing, training, or decision-making tasks.

Shorthand	What It Does
`Legal summary:`	Summarizes legal content in plain English
`Medical explain:`	Clarifies medical concepts for non-experts
`Financial brief:`	Condenses financial data or analysis for fast understanding
`UX summary:`	Explains usability findings for non-designers
`Policy explain:`	Breaks down a policy or guideline for stakeholders

🔁 Iterative & Adaptive Prompting Shorthands

Table: 🔁 Iterative & Adaptive Prompting Shorthands

These shorthand styles help refine output through multiple rounds or adjust it based on new context. They’re ideal for content improvement, product iteration, and human–AI collaboration.

Shorthand	What It Does
`Iterate:`	Requests the AI to improve or evolve its previous answer
`Adapt:`	Asks the AI to adjust the output based on feedback or new context
`Version:`	Generates multiple versions or stylistic variations
`Refine:`	Makes the result tighter, cleaner, or more specific

🧪 Prompt Testing & Evaluation Shorthands

Table: 🧪 Prompt Testing & Evaluation Shorthands

These shorthand styles are used to test, validate, or critique prompt behavior.
They’re especially useful for QA workflows, prompt iteration, teaching, or AI evaluation tasks.

Shorthand	What It Does
`Test prompt:`	Runs a prompt across different edge cases or scenarios
`Evaluate output:`	Scores, critiques, or benchmarks the AI’s response
`Compare outputs:`	Compares two or more generated results for quality
`Score this:`	Assigns a rating based on clarity, usefulness, tone, etc.

🧪 Accessibility-Focused Prompt Shorthands

Table: 🧪 Accessibility-Focused Prompt Shorthands

These shorthand styles help make outputs more accessible to all users, including those using assistive technologies.
They’re especially helpful in content design, publishing, education, and product documentation.

Shorthand	What It Does
`Alt text:`	Generates descriptive text for images to improve accessibility
`Screen reader friendly:`	Reformats content for clarity and compatibility with screen readers
`Accessible version:`	Rewrites or simplifies output to ensure broader comprehension

🧪 Multilingual Prompt Shorthands

Table: 🧪 Multilingual Prompt Shorthands

These shorthands support multilingual outputs or dual-purpose prompts for translation, localization, and language-specific reasoning.
Useful for international workflows, translation pipelines, or educational contexts.

Shorthand	What It Does
`Translate and summarize:`	Translates text and provides a condensed version in the target language
`Multilingual QA:`	Generates or answers questions in multiple languages
`Explain in [language]:`	Provides an explanation in a specified language

🧪 Experimental Prompt Shorthands (User-Invented / Define-as-You-Go)

Table: 🧪 Experimental Prompt Shorthands

These styles are not widely recognized yet but may be useful with clear instructions. They’re ideal for internal workflows, prompt tools, or evolving experimentation.

Shorthand	What It Does
`AcQ:`	Ask clarifying questions before answering
`Breakdown:`	Split complex prompt into parts
`Follow-up:`	Continue or refine the prior output
`Prime:`	Set format, tone, or constraints in advance
`Continue:`	Resume from last output if cut off
`Controlled:`	Constrain output format (e.g., 300 words, 3 bullets)
`Indirect Example:`	Respond by showing an example instead of direct reply

🧪 Ultra-Compressed Prompt Shorthands (Automation / API / Power Use)

Table: 🧪 Ultra-Compressed Prompt Shorthands

These styles are extremely short (1–2 characters) and are typically used in high-speed prompting scenarios like scripting, automation, or API integrations.
They’re not common in everyday chat-style prompting, but they're growing in use among power users and prompt engineers.

Shorthand	What It Does
`Q:`	Stands for "Question" — used in structured scripting
`A:`	Short for "Answer" — paired with `Q:` for input/output patterns
`D:`	Abbreviation for "Description" — requests a brief summary or label

🧪 Agent-Based Collaboration Shorthands (Preview)

Table: 🧪 Agent-Based Collaboration Shorthands (Future-Oriented)

These shorthand styles support simulated multi-agent workflows — where the AI can delegate, assign, or split roles across tasks.
They’re emerging in agent-based interfaces and assistant orchestration tools.

Shorthand	What It Does
`Delegate:`	Instructs the AI to assign subtasks or split a task into parts
`Role assign:`	Distributes responsibilities across fictional team members or AI roles

🌱 Community Shorthand Additions

These styles were proposed based on hands-on experimentation and community input. They're not standard (yet), but they offer new ways to shape AI responses:

Shorthand	What It Does	Example
`Reframe:`	Changes the perspective or angle of a prompt	`Reframe: How would a skeptic view this product?`
`Hook It:`	Creates an engaging intro or headline	`Hook It: AI is changing creativity — how do we keep up?`
`Anticipate:`	Predicts possible objections, confusions, or next questions	`Anticipate: What might confuse users in this onboarding flow?`

💡 How to Use These

Place the shortcode at the start of your prompt.
Follow with a clear topic or text sample.
Combine multiple codes if needed.

🧩 Some prompt shorthands appear in more than one category — like Expand: or Step-by-step: — because they serve multiple purposes.
This is intentional and reflects their versatility.

🔧 Examples:

ELI5: What is quantum entanglement?
Humanize: Our new tool simplifies content management.
Debate Mode + Emoji-Explain: Is AI dangerous?
Feynman Technique: How does a plane fly?

✨ Tips

Create your own ChatGPT is flexible with phrasing like:
- Break it down like a recipe:
- Turn this into a bedtime story:
Chain them together for even more control or creative effect:

🔗 Chaining Example

ELI5 + Storyify: How does the internet work?
TLDR + Critique: [Insert long email]
Emoji-Explain + Feynman: What is a neural network?

⭐ Top 10 Most Effective Prompt Shorthands

These are among the most versatile and widely used shorthand styles in prompt engineering. Ideal for beginners or fast results:

Shorthand	What It Does	Example
`ELI5:`	Explains in very simple terms	`ELI5: What is quantum entanglement?`
`Summarize:`	Condenses content	`Summarize: This article on prompt engineering`
`List:`	Outputs structured bullet or numbered items	`List: 5 pros of using AI for note-taking`
`Act as [role]:`	Assigns a persona or voice	`Act as a marketing strategist: Analyze this headline`
`Make it persuasive:`	Shifts tone to be more convincing	`Make it persuasive: Why we need clean energy`
`Critique:`	Offers critical analysis	`Critique: This project proposal`
`Bullet Points:`	Converts output into bulleted list	`Bullet Points: Key takeaways from this meeting`
`Quick Fix:`	Suggests short, actionable improvements	`Quick Fix: My LinkedIn bio feels flat`
`Compare:`	Compares two or more ideas	`Compare: GPT-4 vs Claude for summarization`
`Reframe:`	Offers a new perspective on a topic	`Reframe: How would an artist describe this tech?`

📘 Glossary of Common Terms

Prompt Shorthand Style
A brief, reusable instruction placed at the beginning of a prompt to shape how the AI responds (e.g., Summarize:, ELI5:, Act as [role]:).

LLM (Large Language Model)
A type of AI model trained to understand and generate human-like language. ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are examples.

Persona / Role
The identity or voice you want the AI to adopt in its response (e.g., a teacher, designer, developer).

Chaining
Combining two or more shorthand styles in one prompt to refine the tone, structure, or depth of the output.

Community-Sourced
Curated from real-world usage patterns, expert guidance, and shared public tips — though not crowd-edited yet.

Prompt Compression:
A technique for shortening prompts using acronyms or dense shorthand (e.g., CoT, ZS, MM). Useful for API calls or fast reuse by advanced users.

Shorthand Variants and Casing
Some styles may appear with alternate forms — like CoT: and Chain of Thought: — depending on whether the shorthand is intended for speed (e.g., scripting) or readability.
Both formats work as long as the intent is clear. Use what fits your style or audience.

Agent-Based Prompting (Emerging)
A future-facing style of prompting where tasks are split among roles or simulated agents (e.g., Delegate:, Role assign:). Not yet common, but gaining traction.

🔍 Shorthand in Action: Before & After Examples

Real-world use of shorthand styles can improve both clarity and output quality. Here's how:

📝 Example 1: Without vs. With `Bullet Points:`

Prompt (before):
What are the benefits of using version control systems like Git?

Prompt (with shorthand):
Bullet Points: What are the benefits of using version control systems like Git?

Result (summary):
✔️ Faster to scan
✔️ More structured
✔️ Easier to reuse in slides, docs, or code comments

🧠 Example 2: Without vs. With `ELI5:`

Prompt (before):
Explain how neural networks process data.

Prompt (with shorthand):
ELI5: Explain how neural networks process data.

Result (summary):
✔️ Simpler language
✔️ Easier to understand
✔️ Less jargon

“I used Make it persuasive: with Act as [role]: to generate a funding pitch — it was miles better than my first version.”
— @startup-builder

“Using Quick Fix: and Humanize: helped me rewrite my website copy in minutes. It went from robotic to relatable.”
— @freelance-writer

🎯 Example 3: Without vs. With `Make it persuasive:` + `Act as [role]:`

Prompt (before):
Tell me why companies should adopt AI workflows.

Prompt (with shorthand):
Make it persuasive: Act as a strategy consultant: Tell me why companies should adopt AI workflows.

Result (summary):
✔️ More confident tone
✔️ Tailored to a professional voice
✔️ Suitable for client-facing decks or executive briefings

🧪 Prompt Test Case: Reframe

Prompt (before):
Why is remote work challenging?

Prompt (with Reframe:):
Reframe: Why might remote work actually be more productive than office life?

Result:
✔️ Switches perspective
✔️ Encourages open-ended thinking
✔️ Great for creative brainstorming

🤝 Contribute

This resource started as a curated collection — now it’s open for contribution.

✏️ Have a shorthand style that works for you?
💡 Found a better way to explain or combine styles?

➡️ Have an idea? Comment on the Gist or message me directly — this is an open evolving resource.
Let’s keep the language of prompting evolving together.

👥 Credits & Community

Compiled and structured by Luis Martinez / @arenagroove
Inspired by dozens of community resources and public prompt libraries.

This is an open, evolving resource — feel free to fork, remix, or suggest changes.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are prompt shorthand styles?
A: They are concise, reusable instructions that guide ChatGPT’s responses in tone, format, or structure.

Q: How do I use a shorthand style?
A: Place it at the beginning of your prompt followed by your request or content. You can also combine multiple shorthand styles.

Q: Can I create my own shorthand styles?
A: Yes! ChatGPT supports flexible phrasing. As long as your instruction is clear, it can function like a shorthand.

Q: Are all shorthand styles officially supported?
A: Not all. Some are widely recognized (ELI5:, CoT:), while others are experimental or user-defined.

🧠 Try the Prompt Shorthand Tutor (Custom GPT)

Want to explore these styles interactively?

→ Launch the Prompt Shorthand Tutor on ChatGPT

You can browse by category, test any shorthand on your own writing, or combine multiple styles (like ELI5: + Storyify:) with live examples.

Built by Luis Martinez based on this list — powered by GPT-4o.

📈 What’s New

Prompt shorthand styles are evolving rapidly. This list now includes:

Multimodal Prompting Shorthands for text, image, audio, and video (🖼️)
Meta-Prompting & Automated Prompting for generating and refining prompts (🧠)
Sector-Specific Prompt Shorthands for law, medicine, finance, UX (🏛️)
Iterative & Adaptive Prompting Shorthands for revision and variation (🔁)
Prompt Testing & Evaluation Shorthands for scoring and debugging (🧪)
Accessibility-Focused Prompt Shorthands for inclusive communication (🧪)
Multilingual Prompt Shorthands for translation and multi-language output (🧪)
Ultra-Compressed Prompt Shorthands for scripting, APIs, and automation (🧪)
Agent-Based Collaboration Shorthands (Preview) for role delegation and multi-agent workflows (🧪)

Last updated: July 10, 2025

arenagroove/prompt-shorthand-styles.md