Summarise a meeting transcript
Turns a long transcript into the summary you’d write if you had time.
Summarise the meeting transcript below for people who weren’t there. The meeting was about [what it was about], and the people were [their roles, such as chair, finance lead and two designers]. Start with a three-sentence summary, then list the decisions, the actions (who, what and by when) and the open questions. Quote the exact words for any decision, deadline or figure, so it can be checked. If people disagreed, say about what. Leave out small talk, don’t add anything that wasn’t said, and keep the tone neutral. The transcript: [paste the transcript, with anything personal or confidential removed]
Tips and an example: Summarise a meeting transcript
Tips for a better answer
- Only record or transcribe a meeting when everyone knows and has agreed, using the tools your employer allows.
- Check every decision and figure in the summary against the transcript before you send it on.
An example, filled in
Summarise the meeting transcript below for people who weren’t there. The meeting was about choosing a supplier for the office phones, and the people were chair, finance lead, IT lead and the office manager. Start with a three-sentence summary, then list the decisions, the actions (who, what and by when) and the open questions. Quote the exact words for any decision, deadline or figure, so it can be checked. If people disagreed, say about what. Leave out small talk, don’t add anything that wasn’t said, and keep the tone neutral. The transcript: CHAIR: So, two quotes. FINANCE: Supplier A is £4,200 a year. Supplier B is £3,900, but it’s a three-year contract. IT: B’s phones are older models. CHAIR: Let’s go with A if they’ll match B’s price. FINANCE: I’ll ask them by Friday.