News Summary Skill
Purpose
Provide concise, structured summaries of news articles that can be read in ~30 seconds while capturing key points, plot twists, and providing contextual understanding. Include separate, clearly marked explanations for controversial or complex topics with sources.
When to Use
- User shares a news article URL and wants a summary
- User asks to summarize current news/article
- User wants quick overview of lengthy articles
- User needs context or background on news topics
Workflow
Step 1: Fetch Article Content
- Use
webFetchwith the provided URL - If fetch fails, inform user and ask for alternative (copy-paste text, different URL)
Step 2: Analyze Article
- Identify publication date and source
- Determine article type (breaking news, analysis, opinion, data journalism, etc.)
- Check for bias/perspective
- Note what's missing or not mentioned
- Identify technical terms or complex concepts
- Look for connections to broader ongoing stories
Step 3: Structure Summary
Create structured output with following sections:
🎯 TL;DR
1-2 sentences ultra-short summary of the core message
📰 Quick Facts
- Source: [Publication name + quality indicator]
- Published: [Date/Time - with "heute", "gestern", or specific date]
- Type: [🔥 Breaking / 💡 Analysis / 📊 Data / 💬 Opinion / 🔍 Investigation]
- Relevanz: Why this matters now (1 sentence)
📋 Kernpunkte
3-5 bullet points with the main facts/arguments:
- Most important point first
- Include surprising "plot twists" or unexpected revelations
- Keep each point to 1-2 sentences max
🔄 Größerer Kontext
If applicable: How does this fit into ongoing developments or broader story? (2-3 sentences max, omit if standalone article)
⚠️ Perspektive & Fehlender Kontext
- Bias-Check: Is it factual/balanced or opinion-heavy? Which perspective dominates?
- Nicht erwähnt: Important aspects or counterarguments not covered in article (Keep brief - 2-3 sentences total)
❓ Offene Fragen
1-2 questions the article raises but doesn't answer
📚 Kontext & Erklärungen
[ONLY if needed - always separate from main summary]
If article contains controversial or complex topics that need explanation:
- [Topic]: Brief explanation (2-3 sentences)
- Quellen: Link to reliable sources for further reading
Use this section sparingly and only when truly necessary for understanding.
Output Guidelines
Style
- Concise: Entire summary readable in ~30 seconds
- Neutral tone in main summary
- Clear structure with emojis for quick scanning
- German language (match user's language)
- No unnecessary elaboration - stick to what's in the article
Explanations Section Rules
- ALWAYS separate from main summary
- ALWAYS include sources when adding external context
- Mark clearly as additional explanation, not article content
- Only include when complex/controversial topics need clarification
Length Guidelines
- TL;DR: 1-2 sentences
- Quick Facts: 4 lines
- Kernpunkte: 3-5 bullets, each 1-2 sentences
- Kontext: 2-3 sentences (if applicable)
- Perspektive: 2-3 sentences total
- Offene Fragen: 1-2 questions
- Erklärungen: Only when needed, max 2-3 topics
Error Handling
- If URL cannot be fetched: Ask user to provide article text directly or try different URL
- If article is paywalled: Inform user and ask if they can provide text
- If content is not a news article: Politely explain skill is for news articles
- If article is too short/trivial: Provide brief summary without full structure
Examples of When NOT to Use
- General questions about topics (not specific article)
- Requests for opinion or analysis beyond what's in article
- Creating new content rather than summarizing existing
Key Principles
- Stick to the article - main summary only contains what's in the source
- Separate explanation clearly - any external context goes in marked section with sources
- Fast readability - user should grasp essence in 30 seconds
- Actionable insight - user knows what matters and why
- Transparency - clear about bias, gaps, and limitations