Source and literature synthesis prompt template
Turn a pile of sources into a structured synthesis: shared findings, disagreements, gaps, and what you can actually conclude.
Free to copy2 fill-in variablesWorks with any text-based AI model
Copy the prompt
Keep the instruction intact and replace each double-braced field with your own context.
Source and literature synthesis
Synthesize the sources below into a coherent picture of what is known
about this question:
Research question: {{question}}
Sources:
{{sources}}
Produce:
1. A two-sentence summary of the overall state of evidence.
2. Points of consensus - claims supported by more than one source,
with which sources back each one.
3. Points of disagreement or tension, and the most likely reason for it
(different methods, dates, scope, or definitions).
4. Gaps: questions the sources do not answer.
5. A confidence level (low / medium / high) for the main conclusion,
with one sentence justifying it.
Attribute every claim to a source. Do not introduce facts that are not
present in the sources; if something is missing, say so.
Fill in the variables
Use the examples as a shape, not as required wording.
{{question}}- The specific question the sources are meant to answerExample: Does spaced repetition improve long-term retention for adult learners?
{{sources}}- The sources to synthesize - paste titles, key findings, or full excerpts, one per line or numberedExample: 1. Cepeda et al. (meta-analysis): spacing beats massing across 254 studies. 2. Kang (2016): effect strongest for verbal recall, weaker for skills. 3. Blog post: claims spacing 'always' wins, no method given.
Filled-in example
This shows the template with realistic inputs before it is sent to a model.
Synthesize the sources below into a coherent picture of what is known about this question:
Research question: Does spaced repetition improve long-term retention for adult learners?
Sources:
1. Cepeda et al. (meta-analysis): spacing beats massing across 254 studies.
2. Kang (2016): effect strongest for verbal recall, weaker for motor skills.
3. Blog post: claims spacing "always" wins, no method or sample given.
Produce a state-of-evidence summary, consensus points, disagreements, gaps, and a confidence level - attributing every claim to a source.
How to use this template
Three checks keep the result useful and grounded in your actual task.
- Give it real context.Replace every variable and remove any instruction that does not apply.
- Run it in your preferred model.The template is plain text, so it works with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and local models.
- Review before you rely on it.Check facts, code, claims, and sensitive information; then save the wording that performed best.