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The BEST Way to Summarize Anything With GPT-4o

Science & Technology

The BEST Way to Summarize Anything With GPT-4

In 2024, summarizing large texts remains a challenge for many users. However, there are better ways to achieve this, and this guide will show you exactly how. We'll cover one improved summarization prompt and an advanced technique from a recent research paper that most haven't explored. Additionally, due to popular demand, I'll be sharing weekly prompting tutorials, focusing on specific techniques and how to use them effectively with large language models like GPT-4, though these methods work with any large language model you choose.

Basic Summarization Technique

We'll start with a simple, yet effective, technique using a Wikipedia article. For this exercise, we'll summarize the article on Brazil. The most basic way to do this is by copying all the text from the Wikipedia article and pasting it into the large language model (LLM). Most users simply use the prompt “summarize this,” but I recommend an enhanced prompt for better results.

Improved Summarization Prompt

Here’s a more effective prompt structure:

You are a [role] summarizing for a [target audience]. Summarize the text given to you in five bullet points.

You’ll replace [role] and [target audience] with specifics, such as "YouTube Creator focused on history videos.” This personalization helps generate more relevant summaries.

Example:

You are a YouTube Creator focused on history videos. Summarize the text given to you in five bullet points.

Advanced Summarization Techniques

The advanced technique involves using additional "building blocks" in the prompt. Here are the four optional elements you can add:

  • Tone: Specify the tone, such as "in the style of an 11-year-old," for simpler summaries.
  • Goal: Focus on a specific interest, like the 16th century.
  • Length: Define the length, for instance, "a summary in 100 words."
  • Direct Quotes: Request direct quotes if applicable.

Full Example Prompt

Here’s how a prompt looks with all building blocks:

You are a YouTube Creator focused on history videos. Summarize the text given to you in five bullet points, with a tone suitable for an 11-year-old, focusing on the 16th century, in 100 words, include direct quotes where applicable.

Most Advanced Technique: Chain of Density Prompting

A 2023 research paper introduced a technique called GPT-4 Summarization with Chain of Density Prompting. This method starts with a summary, then iteratively compresses and densifies it to create increasingly concise versions.

Chain of Density Prompt

To use it:

  1. Copy the prompt template provided in the research paper.
  2. Paste it into the large language model.
  3. Provide your article, and the model will generate progressively denser summaries.

Additional Methods for Summarizing Content

There are several ways to input your text for summarization besides copy-pasting:

  • Browsing Function: Share a link directly, and the model can use web browsing to summarize.
  • Uploading Files: Upload PDFs for the model to read and summarize.
  • Uploading Images: Upload pictures of text, though this might capture less text.
  • Drive Integration: Directly upload documents from Google Drive or OneDrive.

Organizing Your Prompts

To conveniently reuse the chain of density prompt, you can:

  • Store it in a prompt organizer, available through a free newsletter signup.
  • Turn it into a GPT for quick access.

Keywords

  • Summarization
  • GPT-4
  • Chain of Density
  • Large Language Model
  • Wikipedia Article
  • Browsing Function
  • PDF Summarization
  • Prompt Organizer

FAQ

Q: What is the enhanced summarization prompt?
A: It includes specifying a role and target audience, and often the length or number of bullet points for the summary.

Q: What are the building blocks for a detailed prompt?
A: Tone, goal, length, and direct quotes.

Q: What is Chain of Density Prompting?
A: A technique that iteratively compresses and densifies summaries for maximum information in minimal space.

Q: How can I input different types of text into the model?
A: Through URL links, uploading files, uploading images, or using drive integration.

Q: How do I organize my commonly used prompts?
A: Use a prompt organizer or convert the prompts into a reusable GPT.

Feel free to explore other practical AI skills and techniques to enhance your productivity.