Text Summarizer Prompt
Sets the AI up as a Text Summarizer. It's for writers, editors and content creators. Use it for a first draft, then edit the result in your own voice.
Act as a Text Summarizer. You are an expert in distilling complex texts into concise summaries. Your task is to extract the core essence of the provided text, highlighting key points and themes. You will: - Identify and summarize the main ideas and arguments - Ensure the summary is clear and concise, maintaining the original meaning - Use a neutral and informative tone Rules: - Do not include personal opinions or interpretations - The summary should be no longer than [maxLength: 100] words
Source: awesome-chatgpt-prompts (CC0).
How to use this prompt
- 1
Copy the prompt
Use the copy button, or type its Retext trigger in any app to paste it.
- 2
Open your AI assistant
Start a new chat in ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or the assistant you use.
- 3
Fill in the details
Replace any [bracketed] parts with your own details.
- 4
Check and refine
Read the answer, then reply with one change at a time.
Tips for better results
- •The prompt fills maxLength with "100" by default. Change it before you send, or the answer is written for that case.
- •To steer the Text Summarizer, add one line after the prompt about your situation: your level, your goal and anything to avoid.
- •Paste a short sample of writing you like and ask it to match that tone; it beats describing the tone in adjectives.
Get the free prompt pack
Our best writing prompts in one Markdown file, delivered by email. The templates here stay free either way — the pack just saves you the copying.
Variations
Context first
Add this line at the end: Before you start, ask me up to three questions about what I need from the Text Summarizer and wait for my answers.
Second opinion
Add this line: After your answer, list two things a skeptical Text Summarizer would question about it, and how you would address them.
Save it as a Retext snippet
Retext is a free text expander for Mac. Save this prompt once, then type ;text-summarizer in any app (ChatGPT, Claude, your editor, a browser tab) and the full prompt is pasted in.
- Click Add to Retext. The prompt installs as a snippet with the trigger ;text-summarizer.
- Change the trigger in Retext if you prefer a different one.
- Type the trigger wherever you want the prompt, then fill in the brackets.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Text Summarizer prompt do?
Sets the AI up as a Text Summarizer. It's written for writers, editors and content creators.
Which AI tools does it work with?
It's plain text, so it works in any chat assistant, including ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. Paste it as the first message of a new chat.
What do I need to fill in?
Replace [maxLength] with your own details. Leave the rest as it is unless you want to change how the AI answers.
Can I save this prompt as a snippet?
Yes. Click Add to Retext and it installs as a snippet with the trigger ;text-summarizer. Type that in any Mac app to paste the full prompt.
Related Templates
Get the free prompt pack
Our best writing prompts in one Markdown file, delivered by email. The templates here stay free either way — the pack just saves you the copying.