Being able to summarize an article is a skill that greatly benefits anyone writing for school or work. It helps you to communicate an idea clearly. Being able to summarize a long text or complex document into the key points saves valuable time.
Research projects, essays, or group assignments can all be more effectively managed once you master the art of summarizing information. You can become a more effective writer and student with the development of this skill. Doing so without copying other’s work is non-negotiable in academic and professional writing.
So, how do you summarize an article without plagiarizing? This blog will explain the why, what, and when you should summarize. We will also give you examples of summaries and solutions to the common threat of plagiarism. There are resources and tools included along the way that you can use to improve your writing. Let’s get started on optimizing your process of creating authentic, original work.
What Is Summarizing?
Summarizing is the process of creating a brief overview of a text or piece of content. It boils the original version down to capture the key ideas or points. You keep the essence of the document while communicating the important details quickly without reading through reams of text. Summarizing differs from paraphrasing, as with the latter you write something in different words.
Using your own words, an effective summary relays the primary messages from a long document. You can try out Smodin’s AI summarizing tool to see how the process changes the length of a text. By drawing out what’s most important, summarizing creates a condensed version that makes it easier to understand big ideas.
The Purpose of Summarizing
Working on a big assignment? Drowning in research papers? Or just trying to get something done with a tight deadline? Summarizing can help you wade through the extraneous details and find the most meaningful part of an article.
Here’s a list of situations where summarizing might be a useful technique:
- Turning a long passage of text into specific key points.
- Minimizing the risk of committing plagiarism.
- Defining a term or context in simple terms.
- Communicating data or statistics in sentence form.
- Avoid excessive use of quotations in an article
- Sharing the vital parts of any passage of writing or content.
- Saving your word count by using fewer citations.
How Do You Summarize an Article: Example and Strategies
The process of summarizing is not overly complex. If you’re struggling to start, there are a wide variety of tools available to help you summarize texts with AI. The basic principles are that you will be using someone else’s work, and you will need to credit it accurately. Follow this step-by-step guide to summarizing any text:
- Read your article: Start by reading through your article or document. A summary varies in length, but it will always be a significantly shorter, more concise version of the original text. You need to identify what’s most important to your work and how it can be written in a shortened form. Use keywords and notes to help extract the primary meaning of your selected content.
- Refine key information: You’ve figured out what the key messages are within the whole article. Now, you need to whittle down the parts you will include in your summary. A simple highlighting tool can mark out the phrases, statistics, or specific wording that you want to keep. Once you’ve narrowed it down, write out an originally worded summary to reassemble those fundamental pieces.
- Proofread and revise: Your first version of the summary may not be the final one. It might take a few attempts, and perhaps you will need to go back to Step 2 for adjustments. Summarizing a text is a good way to practice filtering out the main ideas of any written work. Correct your draft versions, ensuring they accurately represent the original publication without plagiarizing.
Before submitting your summary, you must check if it can identify the writer of the actual text. It has to consist and combine the ideas initially written and present unbiased information.
How Do I Know When To Summarize?
There are several indicators for when you need to create article summaries. Over time, you will become more adept at assessing an original article. It will be easier to see the main points you need to complete your objective.
For many writers, the word limit is the best way to work out if you need a summary. Look to your assignment requirements, task sheet, or other pre-established standard. If you can’t use the entire article, it’s useful to find a briefer way to express the main idea.
Another sign to focus on the article’s main ideas is if you notice there are too many unnecessary details. If the relevant points can stand alone, you most likely don’t need to include “filler” information in your final submission.
In many cases, simplicity is the best reason for writing your own summary. As long you are adhering to the guidelines of your task, there’s no need to overcomplicate things. Properly cited, clearly explained interpretations of the source material make it easier for readers to understand the crucial concepts.
What Is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism occurs when someone else’s work or material is reproduced as your own without appropriately crediting them. When writing article summaries, be conscious of the author’s ideas and how they overlap with your own interpretations.
Plagiarism might look like the article’s main points copied directly into your document. It may be the use of an image or soundbite without a source link. Perhaps you have reproduced a piece of content without permission from the author.
You can test any piece of written work using Smodin’s Plagiarism Checker. This tool can highlight sections that may need to be reworded or edited with a proper citation. Committing plagiarism unknowingly is easily done. Learning to write effective article summaries is a great way to help you avoid this mistake.
How Do You Summarize an Article Without Plagiarizing?
Any act of plagiarism disrespects the original creator’s efforts and potentially misleads the audience about the source. Respecting the original author and their work is imperative to your writing process.
Sharing the important details through your individual interpretation is one of the key functions of any good summary. There are several ways to avoid the consequences of plagiarism. These may include academic penalties, legal action, or loss of credibility.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing a credible article summary:
- Develop an understanding: Read and absorb the meaning of the original concept before attempting to produce your own work. You can use multiple sources in a summary as long as you have grasped what they’re actually saying. Read through each one multiple times. Highlight parts that stand out to you, and educate yourself on terms or concepts you’re not 100% sure of.
- Identify the key points: You should find a few strong or relevant sections that best align with your main ideas. Make a note of these statements, direct quotations, or statistics. These will form the basis of your summary, and you can refer back to them as you continue writing it.
- Compose your summary: Now you understand the content thoroughly. You’ve picked out the important details to best support your main objective. Phrase the source material in your own words. It should show your grasp of the original article and your own interpretation of it.
- Review and revise: Once the first draft of your summary is created, check the original and analyze for similarities. Have you kept the main point while putting your own spin on the topic? Seek a second opinion on its authenticity – it may take several rounds of revision to get it right.
- Cite the source: Always, always cite your sources properly and consistently throughout your document. There are many citation tools available online. These help you ensure that credit is given fairly to all your supporting ideas.
With time and attention, these steps can help you master the art of creating a powerful, genuine summary. Soon you’ll be able to credit the source, include the original concept, and share your own ideas. Now you can produce a solid one-paragraph summary, you have successfully upskilled your ability as a writer.
Write Compelling and Concise Summaries With Smodin
Summarizing is an important tool to have in your arsenal as a writer. It helps you develop your own words and voice while preserving the main idea and original work of other authors.
In this “how do you summarize an article” guide, we’ve given you a range of tips and strategies to help summarize effectively. We’ve covered the definition of plagiarism, and ways to stop this from appearing in your writing. Understanding the delicate balance between summarizing and plagiarising is a valuable skill. You can use this skill whether you’re a student, a professional, or a creative enthusiast.
Still need a few pointers? By using Smodin’s Text Summarizer, you can continue to improve your work. Take great ideas and refine them into fresh, original content – level up your summary skills today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an article summarization?
An article summary is a technique used by writers to help communicate information from sources without using the entire document. A summary will generally be a few sentences to a paragraph in length and must credit the original author’s work.
How do you start an article summary?
To summarize articles effectively, you must have a strong understanding of the material you are creating the summary for. Identifying the main ideas from the original article will help you establish what to include in your article summary.
How can I avoid plagiarism when summarizing?
Plagiarism is a serious intellectual offense and can permanently damage your reputation as a writer. To avoid committing plagiarism in your article summary, follow these guidelines:
- Cite your sources correctly.
- Use your own words.
- Compare the content with the source you obtained it from.