Is Summarizing Similar to Paraphrasing? Know the Difference

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Students generally get confused in summarizing and paraphrasing because they do not know the difference between them. So, if you are also confused about them, do not worry as in this article, you will read some basic differences in both of them. Moreover, this knowledge helps you to identify when it is appropriate to use paraphrasing tool. So, without wasting much time, let’s discuss the key differences.

 

5 Differences Between Paraphrasing and Summarizing

 

Paraphrasing and summarizing are somewhat similar to each other. However, there are some differences in both that make them different from each other.

 

1. Definition

 

In paraphrasing, first, you have to read the content. After this, you have to write it in your words but without changing the meaning of the content. To avoid copying, sometimes you have to use synonyms along with altering the sentence structure.

 

On the other side, in summarizing, you have to draft the main points of a document in short. By doing this, you can easily capture the reader’s attention to important context.

 

2. Purpose

 

The purpose of using paraphrasing is to write a content in your words. It helps you present your understanding of it. You can also use online paraphrasing tool to maintain the originality of a topic.

 

On the contrary, purpose of using summarization is to provide the main points of any theme or event in short. With the help of it, you can support the arguments regarding a subject.

 

3. Use

 

You can use paraphrasing in writing essays, reports, and dissertations. With this, you can clarify someone else point in your own words. Moreover, you can use it in journalism to provide a unique point of view to your audience.

 

On the contrary, you use summarization when you want to draft the literature reviews, research articles, and thesis to provide knowledge of previous studies in short. Moreover, you can also use it in writing news articles to provide readers with a brief overview of the main points of an event.

 

4. Length

 

In paraphrasing, word length is equal to the original text. The reason is that you only change the phrases and not the whole sentence. You can use a plagiarism checker to ensure that you do not write the exact sentence. Moreover, you have to use all the material, whether it is relevant or not. By doing it, you can maintain the essence of the content.

 

On the contrary, writing a summary is usually shorter than the main content. The reason for this is that you have to present the key points of the document in short. For it, you do not have to include information that is irrelevant to the content.

 

5. Objective

 

The main objective of paraphrasing content is to clarify the meaning of the author’s work. For this reason, you write easy and simple words. With the help of this, it becomes easy for readers to understand the content.

 

In summarizing, you have to write a few sentences so as to present the main message of an author’s idea. For this, you first read the whole content. Then, you have to draft the key points of the document.

 

Hence, these are the differences you learn about paraphrasing and summarizing.

 

Conclusion

 

This article helps you provide some worthful information. The above are the differences in paraphrasing and summarizing. In the former, you have to write only the main points. In the latter, you should draft the writer’s ideas in your own words. For this, you can use a paraphrasing tool to maintain the originality of the content. Moreover, these differences also make you aware of their use.

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