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 webFetch with 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