Summarisation problems.
THE CAUSE
You asked for a general summary. It covered what the document emphasises, not what you need.
THE FIX
Specify the focus.
"Summarise this, focusing on [what matters to you]."
BETTER STILL
Ask a question rather than for a summary.
"What does this document require me to do, and by when?" "What obligations does this create?" "What are the risks here?"
WHAT ALSO GOES WRONG
Qualifications dropped, so a conditional statement becomes absolute Important nuance lost Minority points disappearing
FOR THAT LAST ONE
"Include anything mentioned only briefly that might still matter."
WHAT TO VERIFY
Anything you will act on, against the original.
Ask for the supporting passage and check it.
THE UNDERLYING POINT
A summary is a starting point for reading, not a substitute for it.
