Introduction
Summary and paraphrasing are two important skills frequently used in academic and professional settings.
A summary is a condensed version of a longer text that conveys the main points and key information.
A paraphrase is rewording a text in your own words while maintaining the same meaning as the original.
Both summary and paraphrase can be helpful for various purposes, such as providing an overview of a text, explaining a concept or idea in your own words, or incorporating information from a source into your writing.
In this blog post, we will explore the definitions, characteristics, and uses of summary and paraphrase, as well as the differences between the two.
By understanding the distinctions between summary and paraphrase and knowing when to use each, you can improve your writing skills and avoid plagiarism.
Summary
A summary is a concise and objective retelling of the main points of a text. It is a shorter version of the original text that retains the key information and main ideas but leaves out minor details and examples.
The purpose of a summary is to provide a quick overview of a text for readers who may not have time to read the entire thing or to condense a long or complex text into a more manageable size.
A good summary should be accurate and faithful to the original text and should not include your own opinions or analysis.
It should also be written in your own words and not include direct quotations from the original text.
Examples of when to use a summary include:
- Providing a brief overview of a long or complex text for readers who may not have time to read the entire thing
- Conveying the main points of a text to a group of people who need to understand the key information but don’t have time to read the whole text
- Summarizing research findings or other information from multiple sources to provide a broad overview of a topic
- Including a summary of a text as part of a larger document or report
Tips for writing a good summary:
- Identify the main points of the text
- Use your own words to retell the main points
- Don’t include your own opinions or analysis.
- Keep it concise and to the point.
Paraphrase
A paraphrase is rewording a text in your own words while maintaining the same meaning as the original.
It is not a summary, as it should be about the same length as the original text and maintain the same structure and meaning.
A paraphrase is useful when you want to explain a concept or idea in your own words or to incorporate information from a source into your writing without using direct quotations.
Characteristics of a good paraphrase:
- Rewrites the original text in your own words
- Maintains the same meaning as the original text
- It does not include direct quotations
Examples of when to use a paraphrase include:
- Explaining a concept or idea in your own words
- Incorporating information from a source into your writing without using direct quotations
- Avoiding plagiarism by using your own words to convey the same information as the original text
Tips for paraphrasing:
- Read the original text carefully and make sure you understand its meaning
- Rewrite the text in your own words, using a different sentence structure and vocabulary
- Compare your paraphrase to the original text to ensure that it conveys the same meaning and does not include direct quotations.
- Use quotation marks around any phrases or words you borrow directly from the original text.
Summary vs Paraphrase
Summary and paraphrase are similar in that they both involve retelling or rewording a text in your own words. However, there are some key differences between the two:
- Purpose: A summary is meant to provide a concise and objective overview of a text, while a paraphrase is meant to rewrite the original text in your own words while maintaining the same meaning.
- Length: A summary is typically shorter than the original text, as it leaves out minor details and examples. A paraphrase is usually about the same length as the original text.
- Direct quotations: A summary should not include any direct quotations from the original text, while a paraphrase may include some direct quotations, as long as they are correctly cited and placed in quotation marks.
- Structure: A summary does not need to maintain the same structure as the original text, as it is meant to provide a condensed version of the main points. A paraphrase should maintain the same structure and meaning as the original text.
When deciding whether to use a summary or a paraphrase, you must consider your purpose and the context in which you are writing.
A summary may be more appropriate if you want to provide a quick overview of a text.
A paraphrase may be more effective if you want to explain a concept or idea in your own words or incorporate information from a source into your writing without using direct quotations.
It is also important to remember to properly cite any information you include from a source, whether you use a summary or paraphrase.
Difference Between Summary and Paraphrase
| Summary | Paraphrase |
|---|---|
| A concise and objective retelling of the main points of a text | Rewording of text in your own words while maintaining the same meaning |
| Shorter than the original text | About the same length as the original text |
| Leaves out minor details and examples | May include some direct quotations (properly cited) |
| It does not include direct quotations | Maintains the same structure and meaning as the original text |
| It does not need to maintain the same structure as the original text | Maintains the same structure and meaning as the original text |
| Used to provide a quick overview | Used to explain concept or idea in own words, or incorporate information from a source into own writing without using direct quotations |
Conclusion
In conclusion, summary and paraphrasing are valuable skills that can be useful in various academic and professional settings. A summary provides a concise and objective overview of a text, while a paraphrase rewrites the original text in your own words while maintaining the same meaning. It is essential to understand the differences between summary and paraphrase and to know when to use each to communicate information and avoid plagiarism effectively. By practising summarizing and paraphrasing, you can improve your writing skills and become more proficient in conveying information in your own words.
