Long documents take time to read. AI can create a first summary so you know what matters, but you should still check important details in the original text.
Basic Summary Prompts
- “Summarise this text in five bullet points for a busy reader: [text].”
- “Give me a one-paragraph summary and a list of action items from these meeting notes.”
- “Explain this report as if I am new to the topic, in under 200 words.”
Focused Summary Prompts
- “List every deadline, number, and name of a responsible team mentioned in this document.”
- “What are the main arguments for and against in this article?”
- “Which parts of this policy affect small businesses specifically?”
Checking Accuracy
- “Quote the exact sentence from the text that supports each bullet point.”
- “What important information might this summary have left out?”
Choosing the Right Summary Type
Different situations need different summaries. Tell the AI which one you want:
| Summary type | Best for | Prompt |
|---|---|---|
| Executive summary | Managers, decision-makers | “Summarise in 5 bullets with the decision needed.” |
| Key points | Quick understanding | “List the 7 most important points.” |
| Action items | Meetings and emails | “List actions, owners and deadlines.” |
| ELI5 | Complex topics | “Explain this as if I’m new to the subject.” |
| Pros and cons | Proposals and options | “Summarise arguments for and against.” |
Summarising Very Long Documents
If a document is too long for one message, split it into sections. Summarise each section separately with the same instructions, then paste all section summaries and ask: “Combine these into one overall summary, removing repetition.” Keep page numbers or section titles so you can check details later.
A Verification Routine
AI summaries can miss nuance or misread numbers. Use this quick routine:
- Ask for supporting quotes for each key point.
- Check any numbers, dates and names against the original.
- Ask: “What important details did you leave out?”
- For legal, medical or financial documents, read the original sections yourself or consult a professional.
Practical Uses
- Turning a 40-page report into a one-page brief for your team.
- Summarising customer feedback into themes.
- Creating study notes from textbook chapters.
- Getting the main points of a long article before deciding to read it fully.
Scenario: Summarising a 30-Page Report Before a Meeting
Ananya has 20 minutes before a meeting and a 30-page market report to read. She splits it into three sections, asks AI for a five-bullet summary of each, then combines them: “Merge these into one summary with the top three opportunities, top three risks and one recommended next step.” She then checks every number in the summary against the report’s tables before presenting. (Illustrative workflow.)
Prompt Templates for Common Documents
| Document | Prompt |
|---|---|
| Meeting transcript | “List decisions, action items with owners and open questions.” |
| Research paper | “Explain the research question, method, main finding and limitations.” |
| Policy document | “Summarise who it affects, what changes and key dates.” |
| News article | “Give me the main facts and any claims that need checking.” |
| Long email thread | “What was agreed, and what do I need to reply to?” |
Key Takeaways
- Tell the AI who the summary is for and what format you need.
- Split long documents into sections.
- Ask for supporting quotes and verify key facts.
- Never paste confidential documents into tools your organisation hasn’t approved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can AI summarise a full book?
Paste it in chapters and summarise each, then ask for an overall summary.
Are AI summaries reliable?
They are usually helpful, but can miss nuance. Ask for supporting quotes to verify.
Conclusion
Use summary prompts to save time, and use the verification prompts to make sure nothing important is lost.
