Johnny Santiago Valdez Calderon on Writing Effective Prompts for LLMs

In the rapidly growing field of artificial intelligence, Large Language Models (LLMs) have become indispensable for everything from content creation to research assistance. But as Johnny Santiago Valdez Calderon points out, the true effectiveness of these tools depends on how we communicate with them — and that begins with writing effective prompts.

Why Prompts Matter in AI and LLMs

An LLM is only as good as the instructions it receives. Think of prompts as the bridge between human intent and machine understanding.
Poorly structured prompts lead to generic or off-target results, while well-crafted prompts guide the AI toward precise, insightful, and relevant responses.

Johnny Santiago Valdez Calderon emphasizes that prompt engineering is not about tricking the AI, but about giving it a clear, structured foundation to work from.

Core Principles for Writing Effective Prompts

1. Clarity Over Ambiguity

The more specific you are, the better the AI can respond.
Instead of: "Tell me about AI"
Use: "Explain the difference between supervised and unsupervised machine learning with examples."

2. Context Is Key

Adding context — such as the target audience, tone, or goal — allows the AI to customize its answer. This is especially important when using LLMs for professional writing or SEO-friendly content.

3. Define the Format

Want bullet points, step-by-step instructions, or a formal report? Tell the AI exactly what you expect. Formatting guidance helps maintain consistency and saves editing time.

4. Encourage Depth and Insight

Prompts that ask for examples, explanations, or comparisons produce richer and more valuable outputs. Calderon suggests always adding a layer of “why” to the request.

Common Prompt-Writing Mistakes

Even experienced users can fall into certain traps:

• Overcomplicating the Instructions – Too many details can confuse the model.

• Being Too Vague – General prompts usually lead to generic responses.

• Skipping the Refinement Process – The first draft isn’t always the best. Iterate and improve.

The Iterative Method: Calderon’s Approach

Johnny Santiago Valdez Calderon recommends treating prompt creation as a conversational process.

1. Start with a baseline prompt.

2. Review the output.

3. Refine and add clarity.

This approach not only improves accuracy but also helps you develop a stronger sense of what works best with your chosen LLM.

Future of Prompt Engineering

As AI becomes more integrated into business, education, and creative industries, prompt engineering skills will be in high demand.
Those who learn to write effective prompts will have a clear advantage in producing high-quality AI-generated content.

Johnny Santiago Valdez Calderon’s insights highlight that AI is not replacing human creativity — it’s enhancing it. And the first step to unlocking that enhancement is mastering the art of prompt writing.