Do Not "Summarize This"

110 Proven Prompts for 11 Professions to End Simplicity

Summaries. Those magical little snippets of info that give us the illusion of having read a 200-page report. They distill heaps of knowledge into manageable bites, kind of like a cheat sheet for life. Thanks to tools like ChatGPT, it feels like we’re tapping into a wellspring of condensed wisdom. But here’s the thing—not all summaries are created equal. (Listen also to the podcast about this topic)

Summarizing is by default subjective. When ChatGPT summarizes, there's always something sneaking in— the algorithms. Just ask ChatGPT to summarize the plot lines of Harry Potter movies.

“The series presents a sweeping, multi-film narrative that evolves from a whimsical tale of discovery into a deeply intricate story about good versus evil. Each movie builds on the last, creating a cohesive and rich overarching plot. The character is called to adventure, faces trials, undergoes personal growth, and returns transformed.”

But you love art house movies. You think the plot of Potter movies is actually a dumpster fire precariously held together by duct tape and your rapidly dwindling patience. In that case you will hate the summary of ChatGPT. It’s not your summary. How to fix it ? Here is a simple addition to your question, that gives you a less simple answer. Add:

I like biopics like Frida Kahlo or Jackson Pollock.

Now, the once enthusiastic summary takes a nosedive faster than a Quidditch player with a broken broomstick:

The Harry Potter movies follow a fairly traditional “hero’s journey” structure, where Harry discovers his special destiny, faces challenges, grows stronger, and ultimately triumphs over evil. If you’re used to the unpredictable, nuanced, and often tragic lives of artists like Frida Kahlo or Jackson Pollock, the predictable arcs in Harry Potter—good vs. evil, triumph over adversity—may feel less engaging or too formulaic.

Welcome to the Art of the Summary.

So, what makes a good summary? Is it a mere collection of key points? Or is it a highly refined art, where every word is carefully chosen like a laser-guided missile aimed at delivering only the most critical info? The answer is both. And neither.

"Summarize" vs. "Analyze This Text Semantically"

So you type “summarize this” into your favorite AI tool, and it condenses the text for you. Done, right? Well, sort of. A simple summary boils down to extracting key facts, conclusions, or arguments—like a skeleton of the original text. But when you ask for something more complex, like “analyze this text semantically,” you’re diving deeper. Now we’re talking about understanding the relationships between ideas, themes, and tones.

• Summarize: A stripped-down version of the text. You get the essence—just the essential facts.

• Semantic Analysis: More like a deep dive. It’s about meaning, context, tone, and intent. Think of it as not just understanding what is said, but why and how it’s said.

“Summarize” vs. “Analyze This Text Semantically”

“Summarize”:

When you ask for a summary, the goal is straightforward: condense the text into its essential points. A summary is about extracting key facts, conclusions, or arguments, often without diving deeply into the relationships between concepts or the underlying meaning.

“Analyze this text semantically”:

This is an entirely different beast. A semantic analysis doesn’t just shrink the text. Instead, it looks at the meaning of the words and the relationships between them. It’s about exploring the nuances of language, how concepts are connected, and how meaning is constructed. This is especially useful for things like:

• Understanding tone or intent (e.g., is the author trying to be persuasive or objective?)

• Analyzing themes or recurring patterns of meaning.

• Deeper insights into the relationships between different parts of the text (e.g., how one section’s meaning depends on another).

In short, summarizing gives you the skeleton of a text, while semantic analysis digs into the text’s connective tissue and tries to explain why and how the meaning is built.

Tips for Crafting the Perfect Summary Prompt

I love to use “Analyze this text semantically”” all the time. Combine it with other specifics:

1. Specify the Length: Don’t just say "summarize"—tell me how long you want it!

   • Example: "Summarize this in 2-3 sentences."

2. State the Purpose: Why do you need the summary? Is it for a quick overview or a deep dive?

   • Example: "Give me a quick summary for general understanding."

3. Focus on Key Elements: What are you most interested in? The results? The data? The conclusion?

   • Example: "Focus on the key findings, ignore the background."

4. Tailor for Your Audience: Is this for experts or beginners?

   • Example: "Summarize this for someone unfamiliar with the topic."

5. Ask for Actionable Takeaways: Make sure to include any key actions or next steps.

   • Example: "Highlight the actionable insights from this report."

The Anatomy of a Good Summary: Types, Purpose, Audience, and More

Summaries come in different flavors, and understanding these aspects can be the difference between sounding like an expert at a meeting and being that person who read the wrong memo.

(C) Henk van Ess - only use with written permission

Crafting Summaries Based on Profession

Every profession has its own summary needs. Let’s be honest—an investigative journalist’s summary isn’t exactly going to match up with a student’s last-minute study guide. So, here’s a nifty little cheat sheet for how to craft your prompts, tailored to the job. And yes, I want you to shamelessly steal these 110 prompts and make them your own. Whether you’re reporting breaking news, digging into research, or desperately cramming for that final exam, there’s a summary prompt with your name on it. I’ve gone ahead and cooked up 10 prompts each for the following roles:

• Reporters

• Investigators

• Fact checkers

• Scientific Researchers

• Legal Researchers

• Business Researchers

• Law enforcement & police

• Students

• Marketers

• Security Personnel

• Cybersecurity Personnel

• Managers

110 Summary Prompts by Profession

10 Prompts for Reporters

• Provide a high-level summary of this speech, focusing on the most newsworthy moments.

Example: Summarize this mayor’s speech, focusing on the announcement of new public safety measures and their potential community impact.

• Summarize this press conference, highlighting the most important messages delivered by the speaker.

Example: Summarize this press conference, highlighting the key message of corporate responsibility from the CEO of the tech company. Compare it with the speech of another CEO about same topic (upload first) and do a semantic analysis.

·       • Summarize the key findings of this report, focusing on how it impacts a specific audience.

Example: Summarize the key findings of this report, focusing on how it impacts the readers of a gardening magazine, particularly those interested in sustainable gardening practices.

• What are the most important quotes or statements from this press release based on the societal impact it has on a particular group?

Example: What are the most important quotes or statements from this press release, specifically focusing on its impact on farmers and agricultural communities?

• Summarize this article in the same style as the uploaded news articles, reflecting tone and format.

Example: Summarize this article in the same style as the 5 uploaded news articles, mimicking the tone and concise reporting format used in local investigative pieces.

• Provide a summary of this report, emphasizing its impact on a specific local community or sector.