Chain Of Thought Prompting
Definition of Chain-of-Thought Prompting
“Chain of thought prompting” involves a structured and organized progression of prompts or cues that guide an individual’s thinking process in a sequential and logical manner. These prompts are designed to stimulate and direct the flow of thoughts, encouraging a deeper exploration of a topic, idea, problem, or concept. The prompts are connected in a way that each one builds upon the previous, forming a cohesive and coherent chain of reasoning.
This technique is often used in brainstorming sessions, problem-solving exercises, decision-making processes, creativity workshops, or any situation where structured thinking and exploration of ideas are desired.
The aim of chain-of-thought prompting is to facilitate a systematic and focused approach to thinking, enabling individuals to generate insightful insights, innovative solutions, or informed decisions.
Steps of Chain Of Thought
Define the Main Topic or Problem: Start by stating the key issue or topic that you wish to investigate or address. This acts as the catalyst for the rest of your mental process.
Make a first suggestion or question : Create a provocative opening statement or question that relates to the primary subject. This will act as the starting point for the next series of ideas.
Sub-Questions or Sub-Topics to Identify : Subdivide the main issue or topic into questions or topics that logically follow it. You should use these supporting questions to direct your research and organise the line of reasoning.
Establish a Logical Sequence : Arrange the sub-questions or sub-topics such that they flow naturally into one another. The progression of your chain of ideas is represented by this sequence.
Examine Each Sub-Question Specifically : Concentrate your attention on the first sub-question or sub-topic in the list. Investigate it thoroughly while taking into account numerous viewpoints, arguments, and alternative solutions or ideas.
Establish links between the sub-questions : Establish links between the sub-questions as you investigate each one. Connect the knowledge you obtained from one sub-question to the next, displaying a logical line of reasoning.
Repeat the process : Examine each sub-question or sub-topic in turn while building on your prior discoveries. Each investigation needs to logically flow into the next, forming a connected and structured chain of ideas.
Summarise and Draw a Conclusion : After examining each sub-question, draw a conclusion based on the main findings of the complete thinking process. Give a concise, organised summary that captures the development of ideas.