Caleb S.
Caleb S.

What is a Summary? How to Summarize With an AI Summarizer

10 min read

Published on: Oct 13, 2023

Last updated on: Oct 13, 2023

What is a Summary? How to Summarize With an AI Summarizer

We've all been there. You're handed a thick report or book and think, "I don't have time to read all this!"

Skimming through manually can miss crucial points, and reading everything, word for word isn't feasible with our busy lives. And let's not even talk about trying to explain it to someone else without missing details.

Enter the world of summaries and, even better, AI summarizers! There are smart AI tools that can take that lengthy content and trim it down to the key points in a snap.

Ready to dive into the magic of summaries and how AI is changing the game?

 Let's break down what summaries are and how to create them in this blog!

What is a Summary?

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a summary is 

|"a brief statement/piece that gives the most important information about something." 

In essence, a summary condenses a longer piece of content into its significant elements, presenting them in a concise manner. This brief version omits unnecessary details and instead focuses on the core ideas, ensuring that the essence of the original content is maintained. 

Summaries enable readers or listeners to quickly grasp the main points of a subject without delving into its exhaustive details.

Purpose of Summarising

A summary tells the main points of a text, like who did what, when and where it happened, and why and how they did it. 

It should use the author's main ideas but in different words. If you just copy what's written, then it's not a real summary. 

Summaries are short and simple, so you get the main idea without reading everything. They help you figure out the key details and remember them better. Plus, summarizing helps you read more carefully and pick out the important stuff.

Characteristics of a Good Summary

Here are some of the key elements of a good and impactful summary:

  • Brevity: Summaries should be brief but capture the main points. It's like telling someone the big ideas without every detail.
  • Fairness: Don't mix in your personal views. Stick to what's in the original content.
  • Structured: Even short summaries need a clear order. Start with key points or follow the original sequence.
  • Precision: Make sure what you're saying is right. If you mention specific details, double-check them.
  • Autonomy: Your summary should make sense on its own. Imagine someone who knows nothing about the original; they should still get the main idea from your summary.

Now that you are aware of what summaries are and why they are useful, let’s explore how they are written!

Traditional Summarization vs. Modern Summarization Techniques

Traditional summarization methods revolve around manual processes like skimming, note-taking and paraphrasing to distill the essence of a text. These techniques rely heavily on human intuition and understanding. 

On the other hand, modern summarization techniques harness technological advancements, particularly artificial intelligence and algorithms, to analyze and condense content. 

While traditional methods emphasize personal judgment and comprehension, modern techniques prioritize speed, data volume handling, and consistency.

Let’s dig deeper into each of these techniques.

How to Write a Summary Using the Traditional Techniques

Following are the steps that you have to take to write a summary yourself: 

  • Skimming and scanning: Quickly go through the text to spot the main ideas and important points. Look for headings, bolded words, or key phrases.
  • Note-taking: As you read, jot down the main ideas or crucial details. These notes will be your summary's foundation.
  • Paraphrasing: Rewrite the main points in your own words. Make sure you don't copy the original text but still capture its essence.

This process may require a lot more time and effort than the modern method. So, let’s explore that in detail. 

How to Write a Summary Using the Modern Techniques

In today's digital age, summarizing doesn't just have to be a human effort. Modern techniques, especially those powered by Artificial Intelligence, are making the process faster and more efficient. 

Choosing the Right AI Summarizing Tool

You can use an AI summarizer to help you create error-free, impactful summaries within less time and with minimum effort. But first, you need to choose the right tools for your needs, and this is how you can do it:

  • Research: Start by looking for tools that are highly rated and popular among users Some of these include CopyAI, Jasper, Smodin, Rytr, and MyEssayWriter.ai.
  • Define Your Needs: Different tools have different strengths. Are you summarizing academic papers, news articles, or books?
  • Test a Few: Don't settle on the first one you find. Try a few to compare their results.
    • Input Your Text: Once you choose a tool, paste your content into it.
    • Get Your Summary: The tool will provide a concise version of your text.
    • Always Review: AI is powerful, but it's not perfect. Read the summary to ensure it captured the main points accurately.

A tool that will help you summarize all kinds of content efficiently is MyEssayWriter.ai's content summarizer. It also offers a free trial so that you can test it before deciding to subscribe to it. 

So, let’s learn how you can use this tool to generate compact summaries quickly. 

How to Use MyEssayWriter.ai AI Content Summarizer?

Getting a quick summary using MyEssayWriter.ai is simpler than you think! Let's break down the steps for you:

Step 1: Open the Tool and Enter Your Text:

  • First, grab the text you want to summarize.
  • Head over to MyEssayWriter.ai’s AI content summarizer
  • Look for a box or space labeled "input" or something similar.
  • Right-click and paste your text there.

Step 2: Choose the Tone of the Summary

  • After pasting, you'll see options for the 'tone' of your summary.
  • This lets you decide the mood of the summary. Want it formal? Casual? Informative? Pick the one that fits best!

Step 3: Add Additional Instructions (If Required):

If you have special requests, there's a place for that. Maybe you want certain points emphasized or have details that shouldn't be missed.

Type these instructions in so the AI knows what you're looking for.

Once you've followed these steps, hit the 'summarize' button. Within 90 seconds, MyEssayWriter.ai will give you a neat, short version of your text. Always give it a quick read to make sure it covers what you wanted and sounds just right!

Examples of Summaries Generated Through MyEssayWriter.ai’s AI Content Summarizer

Here are a few examples that will help you learn how compact summaries are written. These examples are generated by an AI summary generator, so you can also see how well it works!

Benefits of Using an AI Summarizer?

Using an AI summarizer can seem like magic, but it's really just smart technology at work! Let's dive into why these tools are becoming so popular:

  • Quick Results: Time's ticking? No worries. AI summarizers give you a shorter version of your text in seconds. No more sifting through pages of content.
  • Handles Big Data: Got a 500-page report? An AI can scan through it fast. It's like having a super-reader by your side.
  • Consistent Quality: Humans get tired, but machines don’t. You can expect consistent, high-quality summaries every time.
  • Customization: Some AI tools let you pick the tone or highlight specific points. It’s like ordering a custom-made summary!
  • Saves You Time: Think of all the hours you save by not reading every word. Now, you can use that time for other important tasks.
  • Always Learning: The coolest part? These tools get better over time. They learn from data and improve, offering even better summaries in the future.
  • Affordable: Imagine hiring someone to summarize all your content. Sounds pricey, right? AI tools can be cost-effective, especially when you use them a lot.
  • Accuracy: These tools are designed to catch the main ideas without missing key points, ensuring your summaries are on point.

Remember, while AI summarizers are powerful, it's always a good idea to give the final summary a quick check. This way, you make sure it's just perfect for your needs. 

Difference Between Summary and Analysis

Ever mixed up a summary with an analysis? No worries, let's clear that up!

Summary:

  • It's like a mini-version of a story.
  • Tells the main points or events.
  • Doesn't share opinions or why things happened.

Analysis:

  • It's like a deep dive into the details.
  • Talks about why things happen and what they mean.
  • Gives opinions and breaks things down.

So, a summary gives you the "what," and an analysis gives you the "why" and "how." Keep them straight, and you're golden!

Difference Between Summarizing and Paraphrasing

Got a mix-up between summarizing and paraphrasing? Let's sort it out!

Summary:

  • It's like telling the main points of a long story in a few lines.
  • Cuts down the length, only keeping big ideas.
  • Doesn't cover every detail.

Paraphrasing:

  • It's like saying the same thing but in your own words.
  • Stays close to the original length.
  • Keeps the same meaning without copying.

So, a summary shortens the story, while paraphrasing just changes the words but keeps the full story. You can also read more about the differences between summarizing and paraphrasing to gain deeper insights about which one is that you need to do. 

Here’s a table comparing a summary, analysis, and paraphrasing. 

Summarizing Analyzing Paraphrasing
What it does? Shortens the main points  Dives deep into details Changes words but keeps full meaning
Length Reduced Same or longer Same
Main focus Key ideas or themes Why things happened and their outcomes Rephrasing
Purpose Quick overview Understanding deeper context Avoiding plagiarism and restating
Opinions Included No Yes No

Summing up information is super useful, especially today when we're flooded with so much to read! While old ways of making summaries still work, using AI tools makes the job quicker and easier. 

So, whether it's a big book or a news article, knowing how to use both the classic methods and new AI essay writer like MyEssayWriter.ai’s content summarizer will help you get the main points without any fuss. 

Give it a try and see how much time you can save!

Caleb S.

WRITTEN BY

Caleb S. (Mass Literature and Linguistics, Masters )

Caleb S. is an accomplished author with over five years of experience and a Master's degree from Oxford University. He excels in various writing forms, including articles, press releases, blog posts, and whitepapers. As a valued author at MyEssayWriter.ai, Caleb assists students and professionals by providing practical tips on research, citation, sentence structure, and style enhancement.

Caleb S. is an accomplished author with over five years of experience and a Master's degree from Oxford University. He excels in various writing forms, including articles, press releases, blog posts, and whitepapers. As a valued author at MyEssayWriter.ai, Caleb assists students and professionals by providing practical tips on research, citation, sentence structure, and style enhancement.

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