Explain one topic across all sources

Deep analysisGoes in: Chat

The follow-up to the index. “Explain” keeps structure and nuance that “summarize” throws away; going topic-by-topic forces full coverage.

Explain topic [N] from the index in full. Draw on every source that touches it, compare how the sources treat it differently, and keep technical terms exactly as the authors use them. Do not compress — completeness matters more than brevity here.

How to use it

1Open your notebook at notebooklm.google.com.
2Replace the [bracketed] parts with your specifics.
3Paste the prompt into the chat box and send it.

Square brackets mark the parts you replace with your own topic or question.

More deep analysis prompts

Build a topic index firstRun this before anything else on messy material — transcripts, mixed PDFs, scattered notes. The index becomes the map for every later question.
Structured synthesis with rulesThe heavyweight. A research-grade answer with explicit rules, so the model can't paper over gaps or drift outside the sources.
Contradiction finderSources rarely agree as much as a summary implies. This surfaces the disagreements a polite answer smooths over.
Assumption mapperFinds what the material takes for granted — the fastest way to spot where an argument is weakest.