Prompt Engineering Symbol Guide
Symbol
Usage in Prompting
Description
Example Use Cases
Approximation / Tone / Negation
Indicates approximation or conveys casual tone
~10 ideas for startup names; Explain the ~best approach.
Inline Code / Technical Prompts
Wraps code or terms to preserve formatting
Use `print()` to display output; Highlight the `if` condition.
Command trigger / Emphasis
Signals high-priority action or excitement
!Generate report; Wow! That?s amazing.
Role/Handle Tag / Placeholder
Refers to users, roles, or symbolic references
Assign task to @designer; @function placeholder.
Heading Level 1
Used for main headings in markdown
# Introduction to AI
##
Heading Level 2
Used for subheadings in markdown
## Prompt Types Overview
###
Heading Level 3
Denotes subsection under subheading
### Example Prompts
Variable / Token / Currency
Denotes dynamic input or monetary value
$amount = $100; Total cost: $PRICE
Percentage / Placeholder / Token
Represents percentage or variable token
Success rate: 92%; %name% is missing.
Superscript / Priority / Anchor
Represents exponentiation or footnotes
E = mc^2; Add note^1
&
Logical AND / Connector
Joins elements, actions, or terms
Summarize & simplify; Research & validate
Bullet / Emphasis / Wildcard
Indicates emphasis, bullets, or wildcards
* Important Note; *variable*; file*.txt
**
Bold text (Markdown)
Emphasizes text with bold formatting
**Warning**: Proceed carefully.
()
Grouping / Optional Inputs
Groups phrases or denotes optional inputs
Describe (what, why, how); (Optional) field
Italics / Naming / Filler
Italic formatting or variable naming
_value_ = 100; This is _critical_
Bullet / Separator / Range
Markdown list or numeric range
- List item; 10 - 20 files
Add / Concatenate / Enhance
Combines or enhances instructions
Create + Analyze; Add +1 feature
Assignment / Comparison
Sets or compares values
x = 50; Check if a == b
Escape / Literal Character
Prevents formatting or parsing
Use \* to display an asterisk
Choice / Separator / Piping
Separates alternatives or commands
English | French | Hindi; ls | grep txt
{}
Object / Placeholder / Template
Represents structured input or variable
Hello, {name}; { "key": "value" }
[]
List / Optional / Indexing
Represents arrays, indexes, or optional content
Choose [template]; array[2]
Label / Key-Value Pair / Instruction
Separates name from value or initiates field
Prompt: formal; key: value
Instruction Chain / Statement End
Separates multiple statements
Summarize; Translate; List.
""
Quotation / Exact Phrase
Indicates speech or quoted string
Say: "Good morning!"; Match "prompt"
''
String / Label / Quote
Used for concise values or labels
'hello'; 'variable_name'
Question / Conditional Input
Signals a query or conditional check
What is prompt engineering?; Ready?
Path / Choice / Date Format
Divides options, directories, or dates
Yes/No; /home/user; 12/04/25
<>
Tag / Placeholder / HTML
Wraps tags or undefined content
<title>Prompting</title>; <insert idea here>
List Separator
Delimits multiple items
Ideas: AI, ML, IoT; Name, Age, City
End / Method Call / Decimal
Ends command, calls method, or separates decimals
Write a story.; [Link]()