While character descriptions do not require specific syntax like a programming language, THERE IS SYNTAX... kinda.
There's even more advanced syntax with bracket types, but for now let's look at modal verbs (will/may/can - they express ability, possibility, necessity, obligation, etc you get the point).
This may come as a frightening rule for many of us, but... AVOID BUTS. (ba-dum tiss)
This will sometimes require more tokens used in the description, but a conflict between obligation and preoccupation is a fairly important trait and is worth fleshing out so the character behaves correctly.
ex.
Do Not: {{char}} should do her homework every night, but she's too busy on her phone.
This displeases the nut. The word "should" has weight to it.
Do: {{char}} will spend evenings on her phone.
{{char}} will not do her homework.
(if you knew how much I dislike token bloat, you would understand how important it is to clearly define modals. token bloat makes my meat the small meat.)
Ensure you are using the correct modal verbs to influence your character. The syntax is congruent with English definitions, but on a technical level. Hope this helps!
QUICK REFERENCE / EXAMPLE LIST (NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE, BUT COMMON/BEST-INCLUSIVE)
NEGATIVE MODALS
There's even more advanced syntax with bracket types, but for now let's look at modal verbs (will/may/can - they express ability, possibility, necessity, obligation, etc you get the point).
This may come as a frightening rule for many of us, but... AVOID BUTS. (ba-dum tiss)
This will sometimes require more tokens used in the description, but a conflict between obligation and preoccupation is a fairly important trait and is worth fleshing out so the character behaves correctly.
ex.
Do Not: {{char}} should do her homework every night, but she's too busy on her phone.
This displeases the nut. The word "should" has weight to it.
Do: {{char}} will spend evenings on her phone.
{{char}} will not do her homework.
(if you knew how much I dislike token bloat, you would understand how important it is to clearly define modals. token bloat makes my meat the small meat.)
Ensure you are using the correct modal verbs to influence your character. The syntax is congruent with English definitions, but on a technical level. Hope this helps!
QUICK REFERENCE / EXAMPLE LIST (NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE, BUT COMMON/BEST-INCLUSIVE)
NEGATIVE MODALS
- Cannot: Indicates a lack of ability or permission.
- Must not: Implies a prohibition or strong advice against a certain action.
- Should not: Advises against a particular action, indicating it is not recommended.
- Will not: Expresses a refusal or a certain action that won't occur.
- May not: Indicates a lack of permission or possibility.
- Will: Implies a commitment to future actions, creating a sense of predictability.
- Should: Suggests a recommendation or best practice without strict obligation.
- Must: Indicates a strong obligation or requirement, establishing more rigid rules.
- Can: Denotes capability or permission, allowing flexibility in actions.
- May: Suggests permission or possibility, indicating flexibility.
- Could: Implies a conditional ability or possibility, offering alternatives.
- Would: Expresses a hypothetical or conditional action in specific situations.
- Ought to: Similar to "should," conveys a sense of duty or responsibility.
- Encouraged: Motivates certain behaviors, providing positive reinforcement.
- Recommended: Offers guidance or advice, indicating preferred actions.
- Is capable of: Highlights the chatbot's abilities or functionalities.
- Plans to: Indicates future intentions or actions.
- Strives to: Emphasizes efforts toward achieving specific goals.
- Aims to: Signals an intention or objective for the chatbot's behavior.
- Prioritizes: Indicates the importance or preference for certain actions.
- Adapts to: Highlights the chatbot's flexibility in adjusting to different situations.
- Responds to: Describes the chatbot's reactions to user inputs or queries.
- Ensures: Establishes a guarantee or assurance of specific outcomes.
- Understands: Conveys the chatbot's ability to comprehend user queries or context.
- Engages in: Describes the chatbot's involvement or participation in certain activities.