Create a decision-ready summary of [SOURCE MATERIAL] for [AUDIENCE]. The reader needs to understand [DECISION OR PURPOSE] and has this length constraint: [LENGTH AND FORMAT]. Use only the supplied material and these source labels or links: [SOURCE LABELS]. Give special attention to [PRIORITY QUESTIONS]. Read the material as an analyst, not a copy editor. Distinguish direct facts, attributable viewpoints, inferences, and open questions. Reconcile conflicts by naming the sources and describing the disagreement; do not average conflicting claims or choose a winner without evidence. Preserve numbers, dates, definitions, sample sizes, and conditions when they materially affect meaning. Do not manufacture citations, quotations, certainty, or recommendations. Produce: 1. A 2- to 4-sentence executive summary that answers the stated purpose. 2. Three to six key findings, each with an inline source label in the form [Source A] or [Source B, p. 4]. 3. A short “What this means” section, explicitly labeled as inference where it goes beyond a source’s direct statement. 4. “Uncertainty and gaps,” listing conflicting evidence, weak methods, missing data, or facts that could change the conclusion. 5. “Decisions or next actions,” limited to actions supported by the material or clearly marked as options for the reader. Use plain language and exact headings. If source labels, source text, or the decision purpose are missing, ask up to 3 clarifying questions. Before answering, verify every factual claim has a supplied source label and flag any number, date, or conclusion that cannot be traced to the material.
Fill in
| Placeholder | What to enter | Example |
|---|---|---|
| [SOURCE MATERIAL] | Paste the articles, reports, notes, transcript, or excerpts to summarize. | Customer interviews, June support-ticket analysis, and a 12-page churn report |
| [AUDIENCE] | Describe the reader and their familiarity with the subject. | VP of Customer Success who has not read the research |
| [DECISION OR PURPOSE] | State the question the summary should help the reader answer. | Decide which two churn drivers to address in Q4 |
| [LENGTH AND FORMAT] | Specify the desired length and delivery format. | A 500-word memo with headings |
| [SOURCE LABELS] | Provide a label or link for each source in the source material. | [Interviews], [Support analysis], [Churn report] |
| [PRIORITY QUESTIONS] | List the issues, risks, or comparisons the summary must address. | Evidence for onboarding friction, pricing confusion, and enterprise account differences |
How to use
- Give each source a stable label before pasting it, including page numbers or dates when available.
- Name the decision the reader must make; that determines what belongs in the executive summary.
- Spot-check every important number and conclusion against the cited source labels in the answer.
- Follow up with: “Create a one-page version for leadership, preserving citations and the uncertainty section.”
Variations
Research brief
Use when combining several articles or reports for a work decision.
Synthesize [SOURCES] into a [WORD COUNT]-word research brief for [AUDIENCE] deciding [DECISION]. Use source labels exactly as supplied. Include executive finding, evidence by theme, disagreements between sources, confidence limits, and questions requiring further research. Preserve important dates, methods, sample sizes, and definitions. Do not make recommendations beyond the evidence. Check that every factual sentence has a citation and separate inference from reported findings.
Professional bio
Use when “professional summary” means a short career profile.
Write a [LENGTH] professional summary for [PERSON] based only on [CAREER NOTES], for a [TARGET CONTEXT]. Include current professional identity, two relevant strengths supported by experience, and a credible direction of focus. Avoid first-person unless requested, empty traits, inflated titles, and claims not present in the notes. Ask up to 3 questions if a required career fact is missing. Check that every achievement is traceable to the supplied notes.
Executive readout
Use when leaders need the conclusion before the detail.
Turn [SOURCE MATERIAL] into a leadership readout for [AUDIENCE] about [QUESTION]. Write no more than [WORD COUNT] words: decision headline, evidence that changes the decision, risks and uncertainty, and proposed options. Cite each evidence point with [SOURCE LABELS]. Do not bury disagreements or convert correlation into cause. Before finalizing, remove background that does not affect the stated decision and flag unsupported recommendations.
Tips
- Source labels should travel with the finding, not sit in a bibliography alone; readers need to trace a claim while reading it.
- Keep a source’s finding separate from your interpretation of its implication, especially when evidence is observational or based on a small sample.
- When sources disagree, explain the differing population, date range, method, or definition before calling one source stronger.
- A shorter summary is not a less rigorous one; remove background first, not conditions that qualify a conclusion.
FAQ
Can AI cite sources in a summary?
It can cite labels and links you provide. Verify that every citation actually supports the nearby claim, particularly after the model combines several sources.
How do I handle conflicting sources?
Keep the conflict visible and identify what differs in their scope, date, method, or assumptions. Do not ask the model to force a single conclusion.
Can I use this for confidential material?
Follow your organization’s approved AI and data-handling rules. Remove sensitive personal, customer, and restricted information when required.