summarize-document · claude-3-5-sonnet · writing · 90% confidence

Summarize a document with Claude 3.5 Sonnet — optimized prompt

A Claude 3.5 Sonnet summarization prompt: <document> tag, a key-claims pass first, and an explicit instruction to flag any claim it is not sure the source makes.

90% confidenceUpdated 9/7/2026summarize-document · claude-3-5-sonnet · writing

Original prompt

Hey Claude, can you give me a summary of this document? [PASTE DOCUMENT]

Optimized prompt

Summarize the document for the stated reader. Fidelity to the source matters — do not smooth over gaps or import outside knowledge.

<reader>[role and what decision or task they need the summary for]</reader>
<max_length>[e.g. 200 words]</max_length>

<document>
[PASTE DOCUMENT]
</document>

<instructions>
1. In <key_claims>, list the document's main claims as short bullets, each with the section it comes from.
2. Then write the summary for the reader, at or under the limit.
3. In <uncertain>, list anything you stated that the document only implies rather than says outright — or write "none".
</instructions>

Why this Claude 3.5 Sonnet prompt works

Tuned for Claude 3.5 Sonnet: a <document> tag, a key-claims pass with section references first, then the summary, then an <uncertain> list of anything the source only implies. Claude is good at that fidelity check and will actually flag its own overreach when asked.

What to check in the output

The optimized prompt explicitly defines 'summarize' through a step-by-step process.
The optimized prompt specifies desired characteristics of the summary (e.g., accuracy, conciseness, objectivity).
The optimized prompt uses structured formatting (numbered steps, bolding) to improve clarity for the AI.