Summary and paraphrasing are crucial tools writers use to achieve a rational and impressive article.
However, even though the two terms are confused for meaning the same thing, they are undisputedly two discrete writing tactics that can help us utilize a writer’s concept and creation in our composition.
Comprehending the distinction between summary and paraphrase is necessary to steer clear of plagiarism and also helps us understand how each term is different because it brings about other changes in the layout of the composition.
Key Takeaways
- A summary is a concise representation of a text’s main ideas and points. At the same time, paraphrasing is a restatement of the text in different words while maintaining the original meaning.
- Summaries are shorter than the original text, while paraphrases are typical of similar length.
- Summaries focus on the most important information, while paraphrases aim to reword the entire text without changing the meaning.
Summary vs Paraphrase
The difference between summary and paraphrase is that summary refers to the term which is used when you write a composition, which brings out the crux or bottom line of the main article written by some other author and frames/organizes it in your own words while appreciably minimizing the length of the report along with it and on the contrary, paraphrasing concerns rewriting someone else’s composed words/essays in clear-cut vocabulary to illuminate its actual definition. A paraphrase can either be lengthy, brief or have the same scope as the initial extract.
A Summary represents the salient features of publications, essays, and narratives. They familiarize the audience with the outline so that it can help make arrangements for detailed conversations/discussions.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of comparison | Summary | Paraphrase |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A summary is a clear statement that gives the necessary details of a particular topic. For example, the most powerful love story ever told was Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, a literary masterpiece. | A paraphrase is rewording a previously composed passage into simpler or shorter words that make the meaning of the words much more apparent. For example, the most remarkable romantic tale at any point told was Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, a perfect abstract work of art. |
| Nature | Summarizing involves a writer composing only the necessary details of his article/text in his own words. | Paraphrasing involves an individual rewording any particular article/text in their own words. |
| Length | A summary is concise when compared to the original text/article. | A paraphrase is longer or equivalent to the original text/article. |
| Purpose | Summarizing is undergone to writing down only the bullet points to condense the text without any explanation required on the text/article. | Paraphrasing is undergone to simplify/clarify the original text/article. |
| Selectivity | A summary can opt out of specific thoughts/views from the original passage if it does not concern the motive/objective of your composition, provided that the erasure does not change the passage’s meaning. | A paraphrase should be precise when it comes to containing all the details of the article since a rendition considers a detailed portion of an essay. |
What is Summary?
Summary refers to a brief clarification of the critical factors of an article or piece of writing.
The first step in preparing an efficient summary would include scanning/skimming through the original essay that must be summarized to get an idea of what the entire article/essay is all about.
After that, one can strengthen their understanding of the essay/article by reviewing it again to check whether the content is composed effectively.
Finally, you can convert each bullet point into a sentence and write the article in your own words based on your bullet points. Ensure your summary is brief and informative and you have not left out any critical details.
Summarizing also helps one locate only the essential and critical details in summary, which guarantees efficient learning and saves time searching for something on your previous pages.
What is Paraphrase?
Paraphrasing implies rephrasing/rewording the article or passage in one’s own words without altering the meaning of the words.
The paraphrasing tool can be used either when the writer is required to make use of someone else’s article without copying the words and quotes in the same manner as it originally was or when the writer thinks that the terms of the original article are too intricate for the audience to grasp so they frame it in their own words which in turn sheds light on the more straightforward meaning of the article and gives the final article a tremendous impression/influence/results.
To paraphrase an article efficiently, one needs practice. Various steps can be followed to learn and grasp how an influential translated article can come to pass.
After that, a thesaurus, dictionary, or appropriate phrases can help one find the various implications of different words in the content.
Finally, checking the final article and comparing it with the original article will ensure the paraphrased article is transparent and efficient.
Paraphrasing written content can bring about a variety of benefits to its writers. It ensures that a shorter number of words can be used in place of a long sentence.
Main Differences Between Summary and Paraphrase
- A summary of a particular text is done by mentioning the core points without any description. A paraphrase is done to a specific text to make the original text simpler and easier to understand.
- While composing a summary, you can strike out the statements that are not very important to include in your final article and do not change the meaning of the original composition.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S106037430600066X
- https://www.aclweb.org/anthology/D10-1090.pdf
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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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.
I have a different perspective on this. It seems that paraphrasing can sometimes lead to misinterpretations or the loss of original nuances in the text, which might not occur with a summary.
I understand your concern. While paraphrasing can be challenging, when done skillfully, it can enhance the clarity and accessibility of the original text for a wider audience.
The comparison table provides a clear and concise breakdown of the differences between summary and paraphrase, making it easy to understand and apply these concepts in writing.
I found the explanations very informative and useful. It’s great to have a resource that clearly lays out these distinctions.
The examples provided in the article really help to illustrate the differences between summary and paraphrase, making it easier to grasp the concept in practice.
The explanation of summarizing as ‘writing down only the bullet points to condense the text’ is a powerful and practical approach. It simplifies the process of creating a summary without losing the core message of the original text.
I couldn’t agree more! It’s a great way to distill the main points and effectively communicate the essence of the text.
The distinction between summary and paraphrase is vital in research writing. This article effectively highlights their unique characteristics and applications in academic work.
Absolutely, these concepts are fundamental in academic writing and research, and this article serves as a valuable resource for students and researchers.
I appreciate the detailed breakdown of the nature and purpose of summary and paraphrase. This article offers valuable insights into the practical use of these techniques in writing.
It’s fascinating to see how summary and paraphrase are both valuable tools in writing. This article provides a comprehensive understanding of their significance in composition.
The role of summary and paraphrase in academic writing is indispensable. This article effectively emphasizes their significance in scholarly work, contributing to a deeper understanding of these practices.
Agreed, it’s critical for students and researchers to master summary and paraphrase for academic integrity and effective communication of ideas.
Absolutely, these skills are essential in academic settings and contribute to the development of critical thinking and analytical abilities.
This article provides a comprehensive understanding of summary and paraphrase, offering valuable guidance for writers at all levels. It’s a great resource for refining writing skills and maintaining originality in composition.
Definitely a valuable resource for writers, particularly in academic and professional writing. The applications of summary and paraphrase are deeply explored in this insightful article.
Both summary and paraphrasing are essential skills that every writer must master in order to create original and quality content. Understanding the differences between them can help in avoiding plagiarism and maintaining the essence of the original text while allowing for personal interpretation and expression.
I agree, these skills are fundamental for anyone in the writing field. It’s a way of showing respect to the original author’s work while adding your own voice to it.
The strategic approach to summarizing and paraphrasing outlined in this article can greatly benefit writers in various fields. It provides a methodical and thoughtful process for crafting original content.