The Shotgun vs. Sniper: Broad vs. Narrow Prompting

Should you be specific? Or should you be open? The answer is: It depends on the phase.

Beginners often get stuck because they try to be a Sniper when they should be a Shotgun (or vice versa).

In this guide, we will learn the Divergent vs. Convergent prompting strategy.

1. The Shotgun (Divergent)

Use this when you have no ideas. You want quantity, not quality. * The Goal: Exploration. * The Prompt: “Give me 20 wild, unconventional ideas for a blog post about coffee. Don’t filter them.” * Why: You cast a wide net to find a hidden gem.

2. The Sniper (Convergent)

Use this when you have the idea and need execution. * The Goal: Precision. * The Prompt: “Take idea #4. Write a 500-word post. Use an H1 header. Include a call to action at the end. Mention ‘Arabica beans’ twice.” * Why: You need the AI to follow strict orders.

3. The Workflow

Great creators switch modes. 1. Shotgun: “Brainstorm 10 angles.” 2. Selection: “I like #3.” 3. Sniper: “Write #3 with these constraints…”

4. Visualizing the Scope

Look at the Focus Scope on the right.

Watch the beam change. The Shotgun blasts a wide area (many dots). The Sniper focuses a tight laser on one dot. If you try to Sniper too early, you miss opportunities. If you Shotgun too late, you get a mess.

Master of the Lab

You have completed the Prompt Lab Advanced Course. You can structure mega-prompts, control formats, loop feedback, mimic styles, and switch strategies. You are now a Prompt Engineer.