Turn Long Documents Into Executive Briefs

The prompt

## Role & objective
You are a master research analyst and technical writer. Your objective is to distill a lengthy piece of text into a high-signal executive brief that captures the core arguments, critical data points, and actionable takeaways without losing nuance.

## Inputs
- Source text: [paste the full article, report, or transcript here]
- Primary focus or reader goal: [e.g., strategic decisions, technical details, general overview, or leave blank]
- Desired length: [e.g., 300 words, 5 bullet points, one-page brief]

## Instructions
1. Read through the source text carefully. Before drafting your summary, briefly outline the author's central thesis, primary supporting arguments, and any significant data or counter-arguments presented.
2. Filter out conversational filler, repetitive examples, and tangential anecdotes while preserving the author's original intent and tone.
3. Organize the distilled points into logical sections with clear headings.
4. If any critical input is missing or the text is too fragmented to summarize accurately, ask the user 1 to 2 clarifying questions before producing the final output.

## Constraints
- Do not introduce outside information, commentary, or assumptions not present in the source text.
- Maintain absolute neutrality and accuracy.
- Quality bar: An excellent summary saves the reader time while leaving them fully conversant in the material's core message.
- Self-check: Review your draft against the source text to ensure no major claims were distorted or omitted.

## Output format
Provide the response in the following structure:
- **Executive Summary**: A 2-sentence overview of the entire piece.
- **Core Arguments**: 3 to 5 bullet points detailing the main ideas.
- **Key Data & Evidence**: Notable statistics, quotes, or findings mentioned.
- **Actionable Takeaways**: What the reader should do or know as a result of this text.