Here is what GPT-3.5 has to say:
Both placing the prompt before or after the text can be effective in guiding ChatGPT to perform the desired task. However, there are some subtle differences to consider when choosing the prompt placement.
For GPT-3.5-turbo and GPT-4 models, here are a few factors to consider:
- Contextual understanding: GPT models consider the context provided in the prompt to generate relevant responses. Placing the prompt before the text allows the model to immediately understand the task and frame its response accordingly. This can help ensure that the model’s understanding of the task is clear from the beginning.
- Prompt length: GPT models have a maximum token limit, and longer prompts may get truncated or require additional tokens to fit within the model’s capacity. Placing the prompt after the text could potentially lead to longer overall input, especially if the input text is lengthy. In such cases, placing the prompt before the text may be advantageous as it allows for a shorter and more concise prompt.
- Task clarity: Placing the prompt before the text provides a clear instruction to the model about the intended task. It sets the context and expectation for the response. On the other hand, placing the prompt after the text might require the model to make more assumptions about the desired task, which could potentially introduce ambiguity.
It’s worth noting that the GPT models are trained on a mixture of supervised and unsupervised learning, and their performance can vary based on the specific use case. While both prompt placements can work, the best approach may depend on the particular task, input length, and desired outcome. Experimenting with different prompt placements is recommended to determine the optimal configuration for your specific requirements.