Question 1

How long should a summary be?

Accepted Answer

A summary should be significantly shorter than the original, typically 10–30% of the source length. A 1,000-word article might have a 100–200 word summary. A 10,000-word report might have a 500–1,000 word summary. The right length depends on the purpose and the original.

Question 2

What is the difference between a summary and a paraphrase?

Accepted Answer

A summary covers the main points and conclusions of the whole text, omitting detail. A paraphrase restates a specific passage in different words at about the same length. Summaries are much shorter than the original; paraphrases are roughly the same length.

Question 3

What makes a good summary?

Accepted Answer

A good summary captures the main idea, key supporting points and the conclusion without including unnecessary detail, examples or tangents. Write it in your own words and check that it can be understood independently of the original text.

Summary Length Checker

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary Length Checker

Frequently Asked Questions

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