PROMPTS · TEACHING
NotebookLM prompt: discussion questions tied to the text
Short answer
Use it to prepare a seminar, a class discussion or a book club. Paste the prompt below into the NotebookLM (Gemini Notebook) chat and replace the parts in square brackets. It tells NotebookLM to answer only from your sources, cite them and flag what they do not cover.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Works in | NotebookLM / Gemini Notebook chat, and the customise box of Studio items |
| Sources needed | The text under discussion. |
| Cost | Free to copy. Saving it in the extension is free for up to 10 plain prompts. |
The prompt
Write 10 discussion questions on [TEXT OR CHAPTER]. Three that check understanding, four that ask for interpretation with evidence, three that connect the text to [WIDER THEME]. After each question, give the passage a participant could point to. Avoid questions with a single correct answer. Use only the sources in this notebook. Cite the source for every claim. If the sources do not cover something, say "not covered in the sources" instead of filling the gap.
How to use it
- Open the notebook and tick only the sources this question is about.
- Paste the prompt into the chat and replace every part in [SQUARE BRACKETS].
- Open two or three citations in the answer to confirm they say what the answer claims.
- Save the answer as a note, then keep it: Export a discussion sheet to PDF.
Adapt it
- Ask for a possible strong answer and a common weak answer to each.
- Reduce to five for a 30-minute session.
NotebookLM can misread or over-generalise a source. A prompt reduces that; it does not remove it. Check cited passages before you rely on an answer.
Free or Pro?
Free, with no daily export quota and no website account needed. Pro covers the extension only; it does not include a Google subscription or raise NotebookLM's own limits. Current prices are on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
What should be in the notebook before I use the discussion questions tied to the text prompt?
The text under discussion.
How do I save this prompt in NotebookLM?
NotebookLM has no prompt library of its own. With NotebookLM Ultra Exporter you can save it to My prompts and insert it in the chat box by typing /. Free saves 10 plain prompts; variable templates, folders and backup need Pro.
Why does the prompt ask NotebookLM to say what is not covered?
Because a grounded tool is most useful when it shows the edges of your sources. An explicit instruction to flag gaps reduces confident answers that the sources do not support.
Related guides
How to export NotebookLM notes to PDF. You get a print-ready PDF of the note with its headings, tables and citation references.
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