Summarize long content

Scenario

You have a long document (notes, transcript, article, meeting recap) and need a short version for sharing or publishing.

Goal

Create a summary that preserves key decisions, constraints, and next steps—without adding new claims.

Inputs

  • Source text
  • Intended use (email update, blog TL;DR, internal memo, release notes)
  • Summary length target (e.g., 5 bullets, 150 words, 1 paragraph)

Steps

  1. Choose a summary format
    • Bullets for action, paragraphs for narrative, outline for structure.
  2. Extract key points
    • Ask for “must-include” items: decisions, deadlines, risks, metrics.
  3. Generate the summary
    • Request a “no new facts” constraint.
  4. Validate
    • Compare against the original for missing critical details.
  5. Optional: produce multiple layers
    • TL;DR (1–2 sentences) + Short (5 bullets) + Detailed (1 page).

Output expectations

  • Shorter content that is still accurate and useful
  • Clear action items and decisions (when present in source)

Common pitfalls

  • Ambiguous source produces vague summaries—clean up the input first if needed.
  • Missing constraints: “summarize” without a length target leads to inconsistent outputs.
  • Invented details: always validate; summaries should not add new facts.

When not to use

  • Legal/contract language where wording must remain exact—use excerpts instead.

Related pages