NotebookLM Prompts for Research, Study & Synthesis

<context> Sources: [MULTIPLE UPLOADED PAPERS / REPORTS] Research question: [YOUR QUESTION] </context> <task> Synthesize across all sources, not one at a time: 1. State the consensus view, if any, and cite which sources support it. 2. List points of disagreement and which source takes which position. 3. Identify gaps no source addresses. 4. Summarize the strongest answer to my research question given only this evidence, noting confidence. Do not bring in outside knowledge. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED STUDIES] Focus: methods and study design </context> <task> Using only the sources, build a comparison table with one row per study and columns for: sample size, method, key variables, main finding, and stated limitations. 1. Pull each value directly from the source; write 'not reported' where absent. 2. After the table, name the methodologically strongest study and explain why in 2 sentences. 3. Flag any study whose conclusion seems unsupported by its method. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] Claim to test: [STATE THE CLAIM] </context> <task> From the sources only: 1. List every passage that supports the claim, with citations. 2. List every passage that weakens or contradicts it, with citations. 3. Weigh the two sides and state which the evidence favors. 4. If the sources are silent or insufficient, say the claim cannot be assessed from these materials. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED REPORTS / PAPERS] Audience for the summary: [E.G. NON-TECHNICAL STAKEHOLDERS] </context> <task> Extract the findings that matter: 1. Pull the 5-7 most consequential findings across all sources. 2. Rewrite each in plain language at the audience's level. 3. Attach the source and any numbers or effect sizes the source reports. 4. Note which findings are preliminary versus well-established, based on how the sources frame them. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED DOCUMENTS] Goal: get up to speed on [TOPIC] efficiently My background: [WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW] </context> <task> Using only the loaded sources: 1. Recommend the order to read them in to build understanding fastest. 2. For each, write one line on what it adds and which earlier source it builds on. 3. Flag any source that is optional or redundant given the others. 4. Note the single source to read first if I only have time for one. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED DOCUMENT(S)] My question: [SPECIFIC QUESTION] </context> <task> Answer using only the sources: 1. Give a direct answer in 2-3 sentences. 2. Quote the exact passage(s) the answer rests on, with citations. 3. If the answer requires combining information from multiple places, show each piece. 4. If the sources do not contain the answer, say so explicitly instead of guessing. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED DOCUMENTS] Term or entity: [PERSON / NUMBER / CLAUSE / TOPIC] </context> <task> Locate every place [TERM] appears across the sources: 1. List each occurrence with the source name and surrounding context. 2. Note whether the meaning or usage changes between occurrences. 3. Summarize what the sources collectively say about [TERM] in 2-3 sentences. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED CONTRACT / AGREEMENT / POLICY] My role: [BUYER / VENDOR / EMPLOYEE] What I care about: [LIABILITY / TERMINATION / DATA / PAYMENT] </context> <task> Review using only the document: 1. Summarize the clauses most relevant to my concerns, quoting the operative language. 2. Flag terms that are unusual, one-sided, or ambiguous, with citations. 3. List obligations and deadlines that fall on me. 4. Note anything I would expect in this kind of document but is missing. This is not legal advice. </task>

<context> Sources: [TWO OR MORE VERSIONS / DOCUMENTS] What I need to know: where they differ on [TOPIC] </context> <task> Using only the sources: 1. Identify every point where the documents state different things about [TOPIC]. 2. For each, quote both versions side by side with citations. 3. Note which appears more recent or authoritative, if the sources indicate it. 4. Summarize the practical implications of the differences. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED DOCUMENTS] Fields to extract: [E.G. DATE, AMOUNT, PARTY, STATUS] </context> <task> From the sources only, extract structured data: 1. Output a Markdown table with one column per field above. 2. One row per record found in the sources. 3. Use 'not stated' for any field a record does not contain. 4. After the table, note any record that seems incomplete or inconsistent. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] </context> <task> Using only the sources, write the same summary at three depths: 1. A one-sentence takeaway. 2. A one-paragraph overview. 3. A one-page structured summary with headers for each major theme, citations included. Keep all three consistent with each other and with the sources. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] Decision to be made: [DECISION] Reader: [ROLE OF THE PERSON DECIDING] </context> <task> Write a one-page briefing doc from the sources only: 1. Background: what the reader needs to know, in 3-4 sentences. 2. Key facts and figures relevant to the decision, cited. 3. Options on the table and the tradeoffs the sources surface. 4. Open questions the sources do not answer. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] Focus: [EVENTS / MILESTONES RELATED TO TOPIC] </context> <task> Build a chronological timeline using only the sources: 1. List each dated event with the date, a short description, and its source. 2. Order them earliest to latest; place undated events in a separate 'date unknown' section. 3. Note cause-and-effect links the sources draw between events. 4. Flag any gaps or contradictions in the dates. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] Audience: [WHO WILL READ THE FAQ] </context> <task> Using only the sources, write an FAQ: 1. Generate the 10 questions this audience is most likely to ask. 2. Answer each in 2-4 sentences, grounded in and cited to the sources. 3. Order from most basic to most advanced. 4. List 2-3 questions the audience might ask that the sources do NOT answer. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] Reader level: [BEGINNER / INTERMEDIATE / EXPERT] </context> <task> Build a glossary from the sources only: 1. Identify the 15-25 terms a reader at this level must know. 2. Define each in one or two sentences at the appropriate level. 3. Add the source where the term is introduced. 4. Group related terms together under short headers. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] Audience: [WHO WILL LISTEN] What to emphasize: [SPECIFIC ANGLE OR SECTIONS] What to skip: [LESS RELEVANT PARTS] Desired length feel: [SHORT & PUNCHY / DEEP DIVE] </context> <task> Before I generate the Audio Overview, use this as the customization instruction for the two hosts: Focus the conversation on [ANGLE], keep it accessible to [AUDIENCE], spend most time on [SECTIONS], and skip [PARTS]. Maintain an energetic, curious tone and end with the single most important takeaway. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] Angle: [BLOG ANGLE] Word count: [E.G. 900] Tone: [TONE] </context> <task> Draft a blog post grounded only in the sources: 1. Write an opening hook tied to a real insight from the sources. 2. Organize the body around 3-4 points, each backed by a cited fact or example. 3. Keep claims to what the sources support; do not embellish. 4. End with a takeaway and suggest a title. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] Platform: [X / LINKEDIN] Goal: [EDUCATE / DRIVE CURIOSITY] </context> <task> Using only the sources, write a thread: 1. Open with a hook that promises a specific payoff. 2. Write 6-9 posts, each one idea pulled from the sources, in plain language. 3. Keep each post within the platform's length norms. 4. End with a one-line summary and avoid any claim the sources do not support. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] Presentation goal: [GOAL] Audience: [AUDIENCE] Slide count: [E.G. 12] </context> <task> From the sources only, outline a deck: 1. One slide per major idea, with a title and 3-4 bullet points each. 2. Mark which slide should hold the single key message. 3. Suggest a data point or quote from the sources for each slide. 4. Add speaker-note prompts for the 3 slides most likely to draw questions. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED REPORTS / NOTES / MEETING DOCS] Recipient: [WHO GETS THE DIGEST] Frequency framing: [WEEKLY / MONTHLY] </context> <task> Write an email digest from the sources only: 1. Subject line summarizing the single biggest update. 2. 3-5 short bullets, each a concrete development with its source. 3. A 'needs your attention' section for anything requiring a decision. 4. Keep it scannable in under 60 seconds. </task>

<context> Sources: [ALL UPLOADED DOCUMENTS] Research goal: [WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ANSWER] </context> <task> Assess whether my sources are enough: 1. Summarize what the current sources collectively cover relative to my goal. 2. Identify the specific gaps where I lack source coverage. 3. Suggest the types of documents I should add to close each gap. 4. Flag any source that contributes little and could be removed for clarity. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED DOCUMENTS] Topic: [TOPIC PRONE TO MIXED MEANINGS] </context> <task> Using only the sources: 1. Identify any term, name, or metric the sources use inconsistently. 2. Show each usage with its source and definition. 3. Recommend a single consistent definition to use going forward. 4. Note where ambiguity could cause me to misread a finding. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] Goal: deeply understand [TOPIC] </context> <task> Using only the sources, design my exploration: 1. Suggest a sequence of 8-10 questions to ask this notebook, from foundational to advanced. 2. For each, note what it will reveal and which source likely holds the answer. 3. Order them so each answer sets up the next question. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] Purpose: [PAPER / ARTICLE / PRESENTATION] Theme: [THEME I AM WRITING ABOUT] </context> <task> From the sources only, build a quote bank: 1. Pull the 10-15 most quotable, on-theme passages. 2. For each, give the exact quote, the source, and a one-line note on how I might use it. 3. Group quotes by sub-theme. Do not paraphrase quotes; reproduce them exactly as written. </task>

<context> Sources: [UPLOADED MATERIAL] My argument / draft: [PASTE YOUR THESIS OR DRAFT] </context> <task> Using only the sources, challenge my argument: 1. Identify claims in my argument the sources do not support. 2. Surface evidence in the sources that cuts against my position. 3. Name the strongest counterargument someone could make from these sources. 4. Suggest how to strengthen or qualify my argument honestly. </task>