In this fast-moving, modern and technological day and age, we can safely say that people have been vastly divided into two groups.
However, it can not be argued that reading books is a very important and well-known method of sharpening one’s brain and increasing one’s vocabulary.
In plain terms, abridged means a piece of writing that has been shortened. Now, with the rise of audiobooks, and book summaries, one might question the importance of abridged books.
The best form yet is still the unabridged form of a book. Nothing is more preferable than reading a full book and getting to know everything that the book wants to convey without having anyone else cut out bits and pieces of it.
Key Takeaways
- Abridged books are condensed versions of original works, with sections or content removed to create a shorter, more accessible read; unabridged books are the complete, original versions containing all content as initially published.
- Abridging a book can make it more suitable for certain audiences or purposes, such as younger readers or time-limited situations; unabridged books provide the whole experience and depth of the author’s work.
- When choosing between abridged and unabridged versions, readers should consider their preferences for content depth, reading time, and fidelity to the original work.
Abridged vs Unabridged Books
The difference between Abridged and Unabridged books is simply that abridged books are a shortened version of an entire book, journal, or article that tries to retain maximum information at the same time.
Want to save this article for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own articles box!
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Abridged Books | Unabridged Books |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | This refers to the shortened version of a book or journal, which retains the maximum amount of information possible. | This is the original version of a book. No shortenings are done here. |
| Purpose | Read mostly when time is less at hand, or information needs to be conveyed only, without the need for extra literature. | Used when a person requires the total information or has enough time at hand. |
| Places of use | Used in schools, offices, and places where pieces of literature are treated objectively or for evaluative purposes. | Used in reading clubs, personal use, etc. |
| Benefits | Does not consume much time. | Takes time to complete. |
| Shortcomings | All the information might not be given. Might be biased. | Is unbiased and total information is received. |
What is an Abridged Book?
Abridged books are shortened books. There are various reasons as to why abridged books are so popular and why they are so widely used in so many areas.
The reason they do so is that the job of the school is to assess the students’ literary skills, and whether or not the student is curious to know the whole story is his/her personal choice.
Another good example are office places. They need to bring forth statistical data and information in meetings, presentations, and briefings.
Abridging books is simple. It is recommended for one to go through the article or piece of writing a couple of times or more till they feel comfortable with it.
What is an Unabridged Book?
Unabridged books are when the book has not been shortened at all. All the chapters, plots, and subplots are intact as intended by the author and are perused in the same manner.
Unabridged books are a great way to gain knowledge or spend some leisure time or for entertainment. It is widely known that reading is such an activity that not only increases your knowledge but also sharpens your brain too.
However, in this modern day and age, where the world is moving at an ever-increasing pace, it has become tough to find out the time to read a book from start to finish as a whole.
Main Differences Between Abridged and Unabridged Books
- Abridged books take less time to complete when compared to their unabridged counterparts.
- Abridged books contain reduced information as they have been cut out from the unabridged version.
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Emma Smith holds an MA degree in English from Irvine Valley College. She has been a Journalist since 2002, writing articles on the English language, Sports, and Law. Read more about me on her bio page.
