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What Is a Summary?
A summary tells what happens in a book using just the MOST IMPORTANT events. It is like telling a friend about a movie in under a minute — you cannot mention every single scene, so you pick the biggest, most important parts.
A good summary:
- Tells the main problem or adventure
- Mentions the most important events
- Is SHORT (not as long as the book itself!)
- Does NOT give away the ending (no spoilers!)
A bad summary:
- Tells EVERY tiny detail
- Is too long
- Gives away the surprise ending
- Leaves out the important parts
Think of a summary like a movie trailer. A trailer shows you enough to get excited without ruining the whole movie. Your summary should do the same for the book!