How to use ChatGPT to summarize a book, article, or research paper

AI chatbots like ChatGPT can simplify the task of summarizing long articles, research papers, and books. However, it is important to note that ChatGPT should be used as a tool to aid understanding, rather than to replace the process of writing your own work.

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If you are a student working on a research paper, someone seeking to understand a lengthy article, or someone wanting to grasp a complex subject, you can utilize ChatGPT to streamline the process.

How ChatGPT can assist in creating summaries

Materials needed: To use ChatGPT, you will require a device with internet connectivity, an OpenAI account, and either a URL to an article, research paper, or the title of a book. The process typically takes one to three minutes.

1. Locate the article, paper, or book to be summarized

If you need ChatGPT's assistance in summarizing an article or research paper, find the content online and keep it open in a separate browser tab.

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2. Log into OpenAI via your web browser

Open your preferred web browser and navigate to chat.openai.com/chat.

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3. Input your request

In the chat box, type "TLDR:" followed by the link to your article or research paper. TLDR stands for "too long, didn't read."

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After entering the prompt, paste the URL of your article or research paper. By doing so, ChatGPT will understand that you are requesting a summary. Finally, click the send button, and the chatbot will provide you with a summary.

However, it is important to note that the results may not always be consistent. When summarizing an article via URL, ChatGPT's accuracy may vary. Sometimes, you may receive a concise and accurate summary, while other times the chatbot may generate irrelevant content or indicate it cannot access the internet.

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It is recommended to read the entire article or research paper to judge the accuracy of ChatGPT's response. For a more reliable though slightly more time-consuming method, you can copy and paste the text into the prompt for a more accurate summary.

4. Summarize a book

To summarize a book, type "summarize [book title]" in the prompt. Ensure that the book was published before 2021.

It is not recommended to use ChatGPT to summarize a book you haven't read in order to avoid regurgitating false information in a book report or when discussing the book with others. However, if it has been some time since you last read the book and you need a refresher, using ChatGPT to provide a summary can be helpful.

FAQ

What are the limitations of ChatGPT?

When using ChatGPT to summarize an article, book, or research, keep in mind that ChatGPT is unaware of any events that occurred after 2021.

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For instance, if you ask ChatGPT about Joe Biden's campaign to ban TikTok this year, the chatbot will respond with, "It is currently unclear what actions, if any, the Biden administration may take regarding TikTok in the future."

If you attempt to provide ChatGPT with an article containing information from post-2021, the chatbot may generate incorrect details. In the example below, I asked the chatbot to summarize an article about a new app, and it fabricated some aspects.

Can ChatGPT summarize a PDF?

If you can open a PDF in your web browser, you may attempt to copy the link and paste it into ChatGPT. However, using URLs in ChatGPT may lead to the chatbot generating irrelevant content. It is best to read the PDF yourself and utilize the chatbot as a summarization tool rather than relying on it as an educator.

If you require a reliable AI chatbot for regular and accurate PDF summarization, consider using ChatPDF. This service allows you to summarize up to three PDFs, with each PDF containing a maximum of 120 pages. An upgraded plan is available for $5 per month.

Can ChatGPT summarize an email thread?

Partially. If you copy and paste the entire email thread, ChatGPT can summarize its contents for you. However, it is more useful to review the thread yourself and ask ChatGPT to assist in crafting a response based on the key points you have identified from the conversation.