This blog post explains a simple exchange: an AI assistant told a user it couldn’t access a Fox Weather link and asked the user to paste the article’s text. The assistant offered to create a clear, 10‑sentence summary in the style of a seasoned journalist.
I’ll unpack why the assistant made that request and how to provide the article for the best result. I’ll also cover what a 10‑sentence journalistic summary should contain and share practical tips to get accurate, useful summaries from AI tools.
Why the assistant asked you to paste the article
AI models, including chat-based tools, often don’t have direct browsing access to paywalled or dynamically served web pages. They cannot click links embedded in messages.
When an assistant says it cannot read a link and requests the article text, it’s a standard prompt to overcome access limits. This workflow preserves accuracy — the AI works from the same words you see.
How sharing the article helps accuracy and clarity
When you paste the article, the model can reference exact phrasing, quotes, and data points to produce a tight, faithful summary. Without the source text, the assistant must rely on memory or incomplete context and risks inaccuracies.
Practical tips for pasting articles:
What to expect from a 10‑sentence journalistic summary
A 10‑sentence summary is concise yet substantial: enough to cover the story’s core facts, context, and implications without becoming an extended rewrite. Structure those sentences to cover who, what, when, where, why, and how.
Include one or two sentences on impact and one closing sentence that captures the key takeaway.
Structure and tone guidance for the summary
Tone: Neutral, factual, and direct — like a wire service brief. Focus: Prioritize the lead facts and any new data points.
Briefly frame the significance for readers. A good summary highlights the essential quote or statistic and ends with a sentence that situates the story in broader context.
Example sentence breakdown to request from the AI:
Privacy, attribution, and follow‑up requests
When pasting content, be mindful of copyright and privacy. If you’re sharing a full article for summarization, note the source and any attribution preferences.
Ask the assistant to include an attribution line or to produce a version suitable for publication with proper citations.
If you want a different style — a headline, a tweet, or a bullet summary — specify that up front. Clear instructions yield faster, more usable results.
Here is the source article for this story: Before and after satellite imagery showcases extensive Hurricane Melissa destruction in Jamaica