Summary vs. Paraphrase — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 21, 2023
A summary condenses content, highlighting main points, while a paraphrase rewords the original content without reducing its length. Both provide alternate versions of a text.
Difference Between Summary and Paraphrase
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A summary captures the essence of a text, focusing on its main ideas and presenting them in a shortened form. Paraphrase, on the other hand, involves restating the original text using different words, while retaining the full meaning and often its length.
When one creates a summary, they aim to reduce the content's length, providing readers with a brief overview of the subject. Conversely, when one paraphrases, they aim to rephrase the content in a manner that maintains its detailed essence, merely changing its wording.
The main objective of a summary is to deliver a concise version of the original content, ideal for readers short on time. Paraphrase seeks to offer an alternative expression, beneficial for clarity, without necessarily shortening the material.
In academic settings, summaries help condense lengthy articles or studies into digestible pieces, while paraphrases are employed to avoid plagiarism, ensuring ideas are presented in the writer's unique style.
Despite their differences, both summary and paraphrase require a deep understanding of the source material. Whether you're reducing content or rewording it, capturing the true intent and meaning of the original is paramount.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Condense content to main points.
Reword content without changing its meaning or length.
Length
Shorter than original content.
Typically same as original or slightly altered.
Use in academia
Helps digest lengthy material.
Avoids plagiarism; presents ideas in unique style.
Main Focus
Main ideas and themes.
Same ideas, different words.
Skill Required
Ability to distill main points.
Ability to rephrase while retaining meaning.
Compare with Definitions
Summary
A brief statement of main points.
Her report had a one-page summary at the beginning.
Paraphrase
Alternate wording for clarity or variety.
The teacher asked students to paraphrase the sentence.
Summary
A reduction of extensive information.
The news provided a daily summary of global events.
Paraphrase
A restatement using different words.
She provided a paraphrase of the complex theory for clarity.
Summary
An abstraction of main ideas.
After the lecture, students shared their summaries.
Paraphrase
A reworded version of spoken or written content.
The translator offered a paraphrase when a direct translation was challenging.
Summary
A brief statement mentioning the main points of something
A summary of our findings.
Paraphrase
A rendition of content in a unique style.
The author's paraphrase of the poem added a modern twist.
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.
Paraphrase
A paraphrase is a restatement of the meaning of a text or passage using other words. The term itself is derived via Latin paraphrasis from Greek παράφρασις 'additional manner of expression'.
Summary
Presenting the substance in a condensed form; concise
A summary review.
Paraphrase
Express the meaning of (something written or spoken) using different words, especially to achieve greater clarity
You can either quote or paraphrase literary texts
Summary
Performed speedily and without ceremony
Summary justice.
A summary rejection.
Paraphrase
A rewording of something written or spoken
It is characteristic of poetic metaphors that they are not susceptible to paraphrase
Scattered here and there in the text are frank paraphrases of lines from Virgil, Cicero, and Quintilian
Summary
Concise, brief or presented in a condensed form
A summary review is in the appendix.
Paraphrase
A restatement of a text or passage in another form or other words, often to clarify meaning.
Summary
Performed speedily and without formal ceremony.
They used summary executions to break the resistance of the people.
Paraphrase
The restatement of texts in other words as a studying or teaching device.
Summary
(legal) Performed by skipping the procedures of a standard and fair trial.
Summary justice is bad justice.
Paraphrase
The adaptation or alteration of a text or quotation to serve a different purpose from that of the original.
Summary
An abstract or a condensed presentation of the substance of a body of material.
Make a summary of the events
Paraphrase
To restate using different words, especially to clarify.
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.
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).
Summary
Hence, rapidly performed; quickly executed; as, a summary process; to take summary vengeance.
Paraphrase
To compose a paraphrase.
Summary
A general or comprehensive statement; an abridged account; an abstract, abridgment, or compendium, containing the sum or substance of a fuller account.
Paraphrase
A restatement of a text in different words, often to clarify meaning.
Summary
A briefstatement that presents the main points in a concise form;
He gave a summary of the conclusions
Paraphrase
(Scotland) One of a certain number of Scripture passages turned into verse for use in the service of praise.
Summary
Performed speedily and without formality;
A summary execution
Summary justice
Paraphrase
(ambitransitive) To restate something as, or to compose a paraphrase.
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
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.
Summary
A condensed version of content.
The teacher asked for a summary of the chapter.
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.
Summary
An overview that omits details.
The meeting's minutes provided a summary of discussions.
Paraphrase
To make a paraphrase.
Paraphrase
Rewording for the purpose of clarification
Paraphrase
Express the same message in different words
Paraphrase
An expression of the same idea differently.
To avoid plagiarism, he used paraphrase for the quoted text.
Common Curiosities
Is a summary longer than a paraphrase?
Typically, a summary is shorter, while a paraphrase maintains the content's length.
When should I use a summary?
Use a summary when you need to condense main ideas from lengthy content.
Can paraphrase help avoid plagiarism?
Yes, paraphrase helps present ideas in your words, avoiding direct copying.
Can a paraphrase be shorter than the original?
It can be, but its primary purpose is rewording, not necessarily shortening.
Should I cite sources when summarizing or paraphrasing?
Yes, always cite sources to give credit to the original author.
Is rewording a sentence the same as paraphrasing?
Yes, rewording a sentence is a form of paraphrasing.
Does a summary include all details from the original?
No, a summary omits details, focusing on main points.
Does a summary change the original message?
No, a summary should retain the original content's main message.
Which requires a deeper understanding, summary or paraphrase?
Both require a deep understanding to accurately convey the original's intent.
Are summaries and paraphrases considered original content?
No, they are derived from existing content and should be cited appropriately.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
