Ask a long document your questions instead of asking for a summary
Paste the long document first, then ask the specific questions you need answered. Have it quote the parts it's relying on.
Summarize this proposal.
""" [paste the 40-page vendor proposal for the new scheduling software] """ I need to decide whether this proposal goes on our shortlist. Using only the document above, answer these questions: 1. What is the total first-year cost, including setup and training? 2. How long does setup take, and what do they need from our team? 3. Which of our must-haves (shared calendars, mobile app, single sign-on) are included, and which cost extra? 4. What does support look like after launch? For each answer, quote the section it comes from. If the document doesn't answer a question, say so.
Why it works
A generic summary decides for you what's important, and it often skips the one detail you needed. When you ask your own questions, the AI searches for those answers. Putting the document first and your questions after it, and asking for quotes, helps the AI stay focused on the text and makes each answer easy to check.
Try it now
Click a highlighted part and type your own details. Press Enter to jump to the next one, then copy.
""" [paste the long document] """ I need to [your decision or task]. Using only the document above, answer these questions: 1. [question] 2. [question] 3. [question] Quote the part of the document each answer comes from. If it doesn't say, tell me.
Variations
When you don't know what to ask
Before answering anything, list the five questions someone in my position should be asking about this document.
Find what's buried
List anything in this document that creates a deadline, a cost or a commitment for us, with the page or section for each.
Compare two versions
Here are last year's version and this year's version. List every meaningful change, quoting the old and new wording side by side.
Based on: Anthropic, "Prompting best practices: long context prompting". Last checked October 3, 2026.
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