summary
In a summary we present the information of a much longer text in a shortened form. Through a summary, we can inform other people about the contents of a book, a story, a film etc. in only one short paragraph.
- A summary only presents the gist (the main idea) of a text. It leaves out details such as examples, comparisons, direct speech.
- It is written in your own words. Do not use long phrases or sentences from the original text.
- A summary is objective. Do not give your own or any other comments.
- A summary is basically written in the present tense.
Note: The summary of a fictional text, e.g. a story, novel or film, usually gives basic information first (author, date of publication, setting, characters,...) and then sums up its plot (what happens and why?)