"Prompt engineering" sounds more intimidating than it is. At its core, it's just being specific about what you want, the same way you'd brief a very capable but very literal-minded colleague.
Give it a role
Starting a prompt with "You are an experienced [role]" changes the tone and depth of the response. Ask a general question and you get a general answer; ask as if briefing a specialist and you get specialist-level output.
Show, don't just tell
If you want a specific format, show one example. Models are far better at matching a pattern than interpreting an abstract description of one.
Break big asks into steps
Instead of "write my essay," try "first give me an outline, then we'll expand each section." You stay in control of the direction, and the output is easier to check.
Iterate instead of restarting
If the first response isn't right, don't start a new chat — tell it what's wrong. "Make this more concise" or "add a counterargument" gets you there faster than a fresh prompt from scratch.
None of this requires technical background. It's a communication skill, and like any communication skill, it gets better with reps.