> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.beyondwords.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Generate summaries

BeyondWords allows you to automatically convert articles into summaries using [summary templates](#summary-templates), then convert these summaries into audio and/or video.

The result is content that feels fully native to the format. For example, you can turn long-form articles into catchy video summaries perfect for TikTok.

<Tip>
  You can write summaries manually in the [Editor](/docs-and-guides/tools/editor).
</Tip>

## Summary templates

A summary template is a prompt used to convert an article into a summary. It can alter the structure, tone, and length of your content while maintaining its original meaning.

BeyondWords offers a variety of ready-made summary templates based on popular audio and video storytelling styles. You can also create your own summary templates.

### Create a summary template

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start a new template">
    Go to **Content → Preferences → Summaries** in your project dashboard, then click **+ Create** in the summary template section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Give your template a name and slug">
    Give your summary template a name and slug for easy reference. (The slug is used when working with the [API](/docs-and-guides/integrations/api-overview).)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write the summarization instructions">
    Write the summarization instructions (AI prompt) that will be used to generate your summary. Here are our guidelines for writing an effective prompt, along with an example prompt:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Guidelines">
        * Describe the task (e.g., summarize the article as three bullet points)
        * Explain what should be retained and removed from the original article
        * Specify the target audience and use case for your summary
        * Specify the desired structure, length, and tone of the output
        * Include any constraints (e.g., no subheadings)
        * Use short, clear instructions
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Example prompt">
        Summarize the article in the same language as the article.

        Output three bullet points (one sentence each).

        Write in a Joycean stream-of-consciousness voice: breathless, wandering, intimate, full of momentum.

        Let each bullet be a single long sentence with commas, rhythm, and quick pivots.

        Make it feel like thoughts unfolding in real time, not a formal summary.

        Use vivid, sensory phrasing and sharp imagery, but only to restate facts already in the article.

        Lean into fragments, repetition, and interior monologue—but keep the underlying facts unchanged.

        Keep every claim grounded in the article and do not add any new information.

        Do not use headings, labels, or prefixes of any kind.

        Output bullet points only—no extra text.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the AI model">
    Choose the OpenAI model you want to use to generate summaries. Different models may produce slightly different results when given the same prompt.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set the style variation">
    Set the style variation from 0 to 2. Lower values keep phrasing closer to the article, while higher values allow more variation in wording (without adding new information).

    Once complete, click **Save changes**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the template">
    You can now set this template as your project's default, or choose this template when generating summaries for specific articles in the [Editor](/docs-and-guides/tools/editor).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Generate summaries from articles

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="By default">
    To generate summaries from articles by default in your project:

    1. Go to **Content → Preferences → Summaries** in your [project dashboard](/docs-and-guides/get-started/projects)
    2. Click **Choose template** to choose an existing [summary template](#summary-templates) or click **+ Create** to create a new one
    3. Once complete, click **Save changes**
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Individually">
    To generate a summary for a specific article:

    1. Go to **Content → Items** in your project dashboard
    2. Click your chosen article to open it in the Editor
    3. Go to the **Summary** tab at the top
    4. Click **Choose template** to choose an existing [summary template](#summary-templates) or click **+ Create** to create a new one
    5. Click **Generate summary**
    6. Generate or regenerate your content
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  Summaries are only converted into audio and/or video if those formats are enabled. You can enable audio/video generation for summaries by default in your project settings or for individual summaries via the [Editor](/docs-and-guides/tools/editor).
</Warning>

## Turn summaries into audio

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="By default">
    To turn summaries into audio by default in your project:

    1. Go to **Content → Preferences → Summaries** in your [project dashboard](/docs-and-guides/get-started/projects)
    2. Use the toggle to enable **Convert summaries into audio**
    3. Once complete, click **Save changes**
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Individually">
    To turn individual summaries into audio:

    1. Go to **Content → Items** in your [project dashboard](/docs-and-guides/get-started/projects)
    2. Click your chosen article to open it in the [Editor](/docs-and-guides/tools/editor)
    3. Open the **Summary** tab at the top
    4. Use the toggle to enable **Convert summary into audio**
    5. **Generate** or **Regenerate** your content
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Info>
  The audio version of a summary is called an "audio summary". You can distribute audio summaries in the same ways you distribute audio articles.
</Info>

## Turn summaries into video

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="By default">
    To turn summaries into video by default in your project:

    1. Go to **Content → Preferences → Videos** in your [project dashboard](/docs-and-guides/get-started/projects)
    2. Use the toggle to enable **Convert summaries into videos**
    3. Once complete, click **Save changes**
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Individually">
    To turn individual summaries into video:

    1. Go to **Content → Items** in your project dashboard
    2. Click your chosen article to open it in the Editor
    3. Open the **Video** tab in the sidebar
    4. Use the toggle to enable **Convert summary into video**
    5. Generate or regenerate your content
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Info>
  The video version of a summary is called a "video summary". You can distribute video summaries in the same ways you distribute video articles.
</Info>

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I use a different voice for summaries?">
    Yes, you can use a different [voice](/docs-and-guides/voices/overview) for summaries than for articles. Set a default voice for summaries in your [project settings](/docs-and-guides/get-started/projects), or choose voices for specific summary segments in the [Editor](/docs-and-guides/tools/editor).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I edit a generated summary?">
    Yes, you can edit a generated summary in the **Summary** tab of the [Editor](/docs-and-guides/tools/editor).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I write my own summary?">
    Yes, you can write your own summary in the **Summary** tab of the [Editor](/docs-and-guides/tools/editor).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will my summary change if I regenerate audio or video?">
    No, the summary will not change if you [regenerate](/docs-and-guides/content/content-items#regenerate-content) audio or video. Once a summary has generated, it will only change if you manually edit it through the [Editor](/docs-and-guides/tools/editor).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why isn't my audio or video summary generating?">
    If you're having trouble generating an audio or video summary, it may be because you:

    * Haven't enabled summary generation or written a summary
    * Enabled summary generation without selecting a summary template
    * Haven't enabled audio/video generation for the summary
    * Have run out of [credits](/docs-and-guides/admin/credits-and-billing)

    If you need help, please [contact support](/docs-and-guides/support/get-support).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Will generated summaries conform to our editorial standards?">
    Summary templates are designed to stay faithful to the original article and avoid introducing new information or opinion. Safeguards are in place even if you write your own prompt.

    However, as with any AI-generated content, outputs are not 100% predictable. You may wish to review generated summaries before publishing the resulting audio or video.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


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