How to Summarize with AI (The Practical Guide)
Repeatable methods, prompt templates, and a workflow using ResearchWize to turn long readings into accurate, useful summaries — including scanned PDFs with OCR.
How to Summarize with AI (The Practical Guide)
Repeatable methods, prompt templates, and a workflow using ResearchWize to turn long readings into accurate, useful summaries — including scanned PDFs with OCR.
Before you summarize: choose the outcome
Cheat sheet
Bulleted key ideas to skim before class or a meeting.
Executive summary
Short, decision‑ready brief for stakeholders (headlines & key facts).
Evidence map
Argument → evidence → conclusion format for research or policy.
Study guide
5 key ideas with definitions and recall prompts.
Slide outline
Titles + 4 bullets per section to feed into a deck.
Quiz/flashcards
Turn summaries into practice via Quiz Maker or Flashcards.
Summary styles that work
Bullets / 5 key ideas
Fast scan; great for readings and news.
Headlines & key facts
Executive brief with 5–7 short lines that carry numbers and names.
Argument / evidence
For papers and op‑eds: claim → evidence → implications.
Cause / effect
Useful for policy, economics, and history.
IMRaD snapshot
Research papers: Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion in 4–6 bullets.
Case law
Facts, issue, holding, reasoning (FIHR) with citations.
Prompt templates (copy & paste)
Key ideas (general)
Summarize the text as 5 key ideas with a one‑line gloss each.
Keep names, numbers, and dates. End with 3 study questions.
Audience: undergraduate.Argument / evidence
Summarize as Argument → Evidence → Implications.
Use 5–8 bullets; keep citations/links in parentheses.
Tone: neutral; no added claims.Executive brief
Write an executive summary with 6 headlines & key facts (max 14 words each).
Include key metrics; avoid adjectives; preserve URLs if present.IMRaD (research)
Summarize using IMRaD: 1–2 bullets per section (Intro/Methods/Results/Discussion).
Keep sample sizes, measures, and effect directions.Case law
Summarize as FIHR (Facts, Issue, Holding, Reasoning).
Keep case name, court, year; include the holding verbatim in quotes.Slide outline
Produce a slide outline: 1 title + 4 short bullets per slide (6–8 slides).
No sentences; keep one number per bullet if relevant.ResearchWize workflow (web pages & PDFs)
- Open your content: On a web page, click Summarize. For a PDF, use the AI PDF Summarizer — scans are handled via OCR.
- Pick a style & length: Bullets, 5 key ideas, headlines & facts, argument/evidence, IMRaD, or case law; set short/medium/long.
- Keep citations: Ask to preserve references, URLs, or page numbers when available.
- Refine: Ask follow‑ups (define terms, expand a section, list counter‑arguments).
- Send to study tools: Turn the result into quizzes, flashcards, essay outlines, or slides.
- Export & cite: Use Citation & Works Cited to format references for essays and decks.
Accuracy checklist
Numbers & names
Keep figures, dates, and proper nouns; avoid rounding away meaning.
Traceability
Include citations/links or page markers so facts are verifiable.
No extra claims
Summaries condense — they shouldn’t add new interpretations without labeling them.
Chunk long docs
Summarize section‑by‑section and then produce a top‑level synthesis.
Tables & figures
Describe key trends; capture units and sample sizes.
Ethics
Credit sources; don’t present AI text as original scholarship; follow course or workplace rules.
Related tools
FAQ: Summarizing with AI
What’s the best summary length?
Short for skim (100–150 words), medium for study (250–400), long for reference (600–900). Match the length to the goal and audience.
How do I avoid losing nuance?
Choose a structured style (e.g., Argument/Evidence or IMRaD) and keep citations/links in the summary.
Can it handle scanned PDFs?
Yes. ResearchWize uses built‑in OCR so image‑only PDFs can be summarized like regular text.
How do I turn a summary into study materials?
From the summary, send to Flashcards or Quiz Maker, or export an essay outline or slide deck.