Here's a breakdown of what a good summary does:
* Identifies the key points: It focuses on the most important information, leaving out unnecessary details.
* Preserves the meaning: It captures the core message and the author's intent, even in a shorter format.
* Is objective: It avoids adding your own opinions or interpretations unless explicitly asked.
* Is concise: It's short and to the point, getting straight to the essential information.
Here are some examples of when you might summarize something:
* In school: You might summarize a chapter from a textbook for a study guide.
* At work: You might summarize a research report for your colleagues.
* In everyday life: You might summarize a news story to a friend.
In essence, summarizing is a crucial skill for understanding and communicating information effectively.