Copyable template
Prompt Template for Summarizing Text
Copy prompt templates for summarizing notes, articles, transcripts, and long pasted text.
Updated 2026-05-14
Use these prompts when long notes, articles, or transcripts need a summary with a clear audience, output format, limits, and uncertainty checks.
Copyable Template
Summarize the text below for [audience].
Purpose:
- I need this summary so I can [decision, handoff, study, meeting prep, or archive].
Focus on:
- Main points
- Decisions
- Action items
- Risks or open questions
- Terms, dates, names, or numbers that must stay exact
Output format:
1. One-paragraph summary
2. Bullet list of key points
3. Action items with owners if mentioned
4. Open questions or missing details
5. Details that seem uncertain or unsupported
Text:
[paste text here]
Rules:
- Do not add facts that are not in the source text.
- Mark unclear owners, dates, or claims as "not stated."
- Keep the summary under [word count or bullet count].
- Use plain language for [audience].
---
Short executive summary variant:
Summarize this for [busy reader]. Give:
- 3-sentence overview
- 5 bullets of the most important details
- Decisions already made
- Decisions still needed
- One recommended next step based only on the text
---
Study notes variant:
Turn this text into:
- Key concepts
- Definitions
- Example or scenario from the text
- Things likely to be confused
- Questions to review later
Boundary reminder:
- Do not paste private, regulated, or confidential text into a tool unless you are allowed to share it.
- For legal, medical, financial, or safety-sensitive text, use the summary only as an organizing aid and verify the source directly.Useful variants
- Meeting transcript summary
- Article summary
- Research note summary
- Executive brief
- Study note summary
How to adapt it
Replace bracketed text with your details, remove sections you do not need, and keep the final version short enough for the reader to act on.
FAQ
Should I paste private text into an AI tool?
Only paste content you are allowed to share with that tool. Check your organization rules first and remove sensitive details when needed.
How can I get a shorter summary?
Specify the desired length, audience, and output format in the prompt, then ask for missing details to be marked instead of guessed.
What should the prompt say about uncertainty?
Tell the tool to separate stated facts from guesses and to list open questions when the source text does not support a conclusion.