Summary vs. Paraphrase: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 20, 2024
A Summary condenses content to main points; a Paraphrase rewords text while maintaining the original meaning.
Key Differences
A Summary aims to condense the main points of a text, focusing on core ideas and omitting details. Paraphrase, however, rewords the text while preserving the original meaning, often maintaining the same level of detail.
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Jan 20, 2024
Summaries are typically shorter than the original text, capturing only essential information. Paraphrases, on the other hand, can be similar in length to the original, as they involve rephrasing rather than condensing.
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Jan 20, 2024
A Summary is used to provide a brief overview of a larger text, useful in research and academic writing. Paraphrasing is employed to avoid plagiarism, showing understanding of the source material without copying verbatim.
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Jan 20, 2024
In a Summary, the writer's voice predominates, presenting the main ideas in a concise form. In Paraphrasing, the original style and tone can be retained, but with different word choices and sentence structures.
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Jan 20, 2024
Summaries help in understanding the gist of a text, useful in studying and communicating key points. Paraphrasing aids in comprehension and reiteration of ideas, crucial for effective communication and writing.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To condense main points and ideas
To restate text in different words
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Length Compared to Original
Shorter than original
Similar or slightly varied in length
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Detail
Only essential information; omits details
Maintains original level of detail
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Writer’s Voice
Predominant; focuses on brevity and clarity
Less prominent; closer to original text
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Use in Academia
For overviews, abstracts, and quick reference
For detailed understanding, avoiding plagiarism
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Summary and Paraphrase Definitions
Summary
A Summary is a concise restatement of a text’s main points.
Her Summary of the novel captured the plot and themes in just a few sentences.
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Paraphrase
Paraphrase is the restatement of text in different words.
She Paraphrased the paragraph to clarify its meaning.
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Summary
Summary refers to the process of summarizing or shortening a detailed content.
The Summary of the article made it easier to understand the complex concepts.
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Paraphrase
A Paraphrase is a rephrasing of a text, keeping the same meaning.
The student Paraphrased the complex theory to make it more understandable.
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Summary
Summary involves condensing content to its essential elements.
The executive Summary gave a quick overview of the lengthy report.
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Paraphrase
Paraphrase means to express the same message in different words.
In her presentation, she Paraphrased the quotes for emphasis.
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Summary
Summary is the act of presenting the gist or core ideas of a text.
In her Summary, she outlined the main arguments of the speech.
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Jan 08, 2024
Paraphrase
Paraphrasing involves rewording text while preserving the original intent.
To avoid plagiarism, he Paraphrased the source material in his essay.
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Summary
A brief statement mentioning the main points of something
A summary of our findings.
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Paraphrase
Paraphrasing is rewriting text in one’s own words while maintaining the original essence.
To explain the concept to the younger audience, he Paraphrased the scientific article.
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Jan 08, 2024
Summary
Prose that provides information in a condensed format, as by mentioning only the most significant details of a narrative
The novelist did not like writing dialogue and preferred to write stories in summary.
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Paraphrase
A restatement of a text or passage in another form or other words, often to clarify meaning.
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Summary
Presenting the substance in a condensed form; concise
A summary review.
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Paraphrase
The restatement of texts in other words as a studying or teaching device.
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Summary
Performed speedily and without ceremony
Summary justice.
A summary rejection.
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Paraphrase
The adaptation or alteration of a text or quotation to serve a different purpose from that of the original.
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Summary
Concise, brief or presented in a condensed form
A summary review is in the appendix.
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Summary
Performed speedily and without formal ceremony.
They used summary executions to break the resistance of the people.
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Paraphrase
To adapt or alter (a text or quotation) to serve a different purpose from that of the original
"It's tempting to paraphrase an environmental slogan and say, 'Think globally, pray locally'" (Christian Science Monitor).
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Summary
(legal) Performed by skipping the procedures of a standard and fair trial.
Summary justice is bad justice.
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Summary
An abstract or a condensed presentation of the substance of a body of material.
Make a summary of the events
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Paraphrase
A restatement of a text in different words, often to clarify meaning.
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Summary
Formed into a sum; summed up; reduced into a narrow compass, or into few words; short; brief; concise; compendious; as, a summary statement of facts.
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Paraphrase
(Scotland) One of a certain number of Scripture passages turned into verse for use in the service of praise.
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Summary
Hence, rapidly performed; quickly executed; as, a summary process; to take summary vengeance.
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Paraphrase
(ambitransitive) To restate something as, or to compose a paraphrase.
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Jan 05, 2024
Summary
A general or comprehensive statement; an abridged account; an abstract, abridgment, or compendium, containing the sum or substance of a fuller account.
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Jan 05, 2024
Paraphrase
A restatement of a text, passage, or work, expressing the meaning of the original in another form, generally for the sake of its clearer and fuller exposition; a setting forth the signification of a text in other and ampler terms; a free translation or rendering; - opposed to metaphrase.
In paraphrase, or translation with latitude, the author's words are not so strictly followed as his sense.
Excellent paraphrases of the Psalms of David.
His sermons a living paraphrase upon his practice.
The Targums are also called the Chaldaic or Aramaic Paraphrases.
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Summary
A briefstatement that presents the main points in a concise form;
He gave a summary of the conclusions
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Paraphrase
To express, interpret, or translate with latitude; to give the meaning of a passage in other language.
We are put to construe and paraphrase our own words.
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Summary
Performed speedily and without formality;
A summary execution
Summary justice
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Summary
Briefly giving the gist of something;
A short and compendious book
A compact style is brief and pithy
Succinct comparisons
A summary formulation of a wide-ranging subject
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Summary
A Summary is a brief version of a longer text, highlighting key points.
He wrote a Summary of the lecture for his study notes.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
How does a Summary differ from a Paraphrase in length?
A Summary is typically shorter than the original text, while a Paraphrase can be similar in length.
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Jan 20, 2024
Can a Summary include opinions?
No, a Summary should be objective, focusing only on the original text's main points.
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Can Paraphrasing change the meaning of the original text?
No, effective Paraphrasing should maintain the original meaning, despite using different words.
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Is Paraphrasing useful to avoid plagiarism?
Yes, Paraphrasing is a key technique to avoid plagiarism while showing understanding of the source material.
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What is Paraphrase?
Paraphrase is the rewording of text to express the same ideas in different words.
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What skills are required for effective Paraphrasing?
Good comprehension of the original text and proficiency in language to reword ideas accurately.
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Jan 20, 2024
Should a Summary include all details from the original text?
No, a Summary should only include the most essential points, omitting minor details.
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Jan 20, 2024
Should Paraphrasing retain the original text's structure?
Paraphrasing should alter the structure and words but keep the original meaning intact.
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Jan 20, 2024
Are Summaries used in academic writing?
Yes, Summaries are commonly used in academic writing for abstracts, reviews, and study materials.
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Jan 20, 2024
What is a Summary?
A Summary is a concise restatement of the main points of a text, reducing it to its essentials.
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Jan 20, 2024
Is it quicker to create a Summary or a Paraphrase?
Typically, creating a Summary is quicker as it involves condensing content, while Paraphrasing requires careful rewording.
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Jan 20, 2024
How does one choose between summarizing and paraphrasing?
use a Summary for a brief overview and Paraphrase for detailed rewording without plagiarism.
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Jan 20, 2024
Is it necessary to read the entire text before summarizing?
Yes, understanding the whole text is crucial to accurately summarize its main points.
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Jan 20, 2024
Is it necessary to cite the source when summarizing?
Yes, even when summarizing, it's important to cite the original source to acknowledge the author's work.
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Can Paraphrasing be used for complex texts?
Yes, Paraphrasing can be especially useful for clarifying and simplifying complex texts.
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Jan 20, 2024
Can software tools be used for summarizing or paraphrasing?
Yes, there are tools available, but manual intervention ensures accuracy and preserves the text's original intent.
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Jan 20, 2024
How does one ensure accuracy in Paraphrasing?
By thoroughly understanding the original text and rewording it without altering the intended meaning.
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Jan 20, 2024
Can a Summary be subjective?
No, a Summary should objectively represent the main ideas of the source without personal bias.
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Jan 20, 2024
Can one use direct quotes in a Paraphrase?
No, Paraphrasing involves rewording, so direct quotes from the original text should not be used.
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Does a Summary need to cover all aspects of the original text?
No, a Summary should focus on the most important aspects, leaving out less significant details.
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Jan 20, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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