What does it mean to "summarize" a piece of writing?

To summarize a piece of writing means to give a brief statement of the main points. This involves distilling the essential ideas and themes from the text into a concise format, allowing someone who may not have read the original piece to understand its core message quickly.

When summarizing, the focus is on capturing the fundamental aspects without including excessive details or personal interpretations. This skill is vital for effective communication, as it allows readers to grasp the main ideas and argument effortlessly. Understanding how to summarize aids in comprehension and retention, enabling readers to engage more meaningfully with the material presented in the text.