Prompts to summarize any text, PDF or article
"Summarize this" gets you a shorter version of the document, not a useful one. A good summary prompt says who will read it, what they need to decide and what shape the answer should take — and tells the model to stick to the source.
Copy-ready templates
Replace the parts in [brackets] and paste into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini.
Executive summary
Summarize the document below for [a manager who has two minutes]. Start with the main conclusion in one sentence, then three bullet points with the most important facts, then one line on what action, if any, is needed. Use only information from the document; if something important is unclear, say so instead of guessing. Under 150 words. [paste text]
Study notes
Turn the text below into study notes. Give: the five key ideas, each in one sentence; definitions of any technical terms; and three questions I should be able to answer after reading it. Keep the author's terminology. [paste text]
Compare two sources
Summarize the two articles below and compare them. Table with columns: main claim, evidence used, limitations. Then two sentences on where they agree and where they disagree. Do not add information that is not in the articles. [article 1] [article 2]
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Optimize this prompt →What makes these prompts work
- Name the reader: a summary for your boss and one for your notes look different.
- Ask for the conclusion first.
- Tell the model to use only the text you pasted.
- For long PDFs, summarize section by section, then summarize the summaries.
Frequently asked questions
Can ChatGPT summarize a PDF?
Yes. Upload it or paste the text. For long documents, ask for a section-by-section summary first to avoid missing details from the middle.
How do I stop the AI from inventing details in a summary?
Add 'use only information from the text below' and 'if something is unclear, say so instead of guessing'. Then spot-check numbers against the source.
What is a good length for a summary?
Decide by reader and use: one line for a subject line, three to five bullets for a manager, a page for a briefing. State it in the prompt.