Decide what the summary is for

A summary for deciding whether to approve a proposal is different from a summary for preparing questions. Tell the tool who will use the summary and what they need to do next. Otherwise it may compress the document without preserving what matters.

Ask where each important point came from

Request page numbers, headings, or quoted phrases that help you return to the source. Not every file format preserves page references, so treat citations produced by the model as navigation hints until you confirm them.

  • Main conclusion or requested decision
  • Evidence supporting it
  • Deadlines, costs, and named responsibilities
  • Exceptions, risks, and unresolved questions

Check details that could change the decision

Do not verify every sentence with equal effort. Start with the details that would change a decision: money, timing, scope, legal obligations, safety, and statements attributed to people.

Try it yourself

Check a short summary against its source

Start with the complete made-up notice below. It is short enough to check line by line before you try a longer document.

Made-up notes for the example

  • Registration closes: 10 October
  • Fee: £45
  • Changes are allowed until: 7 October
  • Official address: example.org/workshop

Before you paste: use made-up, public, or approved information. Before using work information, check that your workplace permits both the tool and the information.

Instructions to complete before you use them

Replace any text in square brackets. Read the complete instructions once before using them.

Use only the made-up notice below. Write a two-sentence summary for someone deciding whether to register. Include the closing date, fee, workshop dates, and the web address. Do not add facts or change a number, date, or link.

Example answer to check

Registration closes on 12 October and costs £40. Changes are allowed until 7 October. Use example.org/fast-workshop to register.

One clear correction

The answer changes three facts. The closing date is 10 October, the fee is £45, and the address is example.org/workshops. Correct only those details and keep everything else supported by the notice.

One corrected version

Registration closes on 10 October and costs £45. Changes are allowed until 7 October. Use example.org/workshop to register.

You have finished when you can check these points

  • Does the closing date say 10 October?
  • Does the fee say £45?
  • Does the web address match the notice exactly?

Finish: Every date, amount, and link in the summary matches the made-up notice, and no unsupported detail remains.

Try one small change: Change the fee in the made-up notice to £50. Update the summary and confirm that £45 has disappeared while the date and address stay unchanged.

Keep these points

  • Name the decision the summary must support.
  • Ask for evidence and unresolved questions.
  • Verify high-consequence details in the source.

Continue for free

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Optional paid help with Ikram Rana

Set up summaries you can check.

Describe the documents you read and the decisions they support. Discuss a summary format, source checks, and how the process could fit your permitted tools.

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