What is a book summary?
The general summary is a more objective and concise way to present the ideas of a specific text. The summary of a book is, therefore, a presentation of the ideas of a book in a briefer form.
That is why it is said that the abstract is an expository textual genre. After all, he selects, groups and exposes the main concepts of the book.
In the case of literary works, the summary must be sufficient to recall the narrative and the main facts of the book. It is essential that people understand who the characters are and what was the resolution of the central problem.
Summary features
At this point, it is important to keep in mind that the format of the abstract may vary. You can write the abstract from topics, keywords, comments or in a text. This depends a lot on the need and the type of book.
In addition, the abstract may or may not have direct quotes (ctrl c + ctrl v of the text) and description of the characters. But it is important to write most of the text in your own words. This is what is called indirect citations.
As it is a summary of a specific text, the size of the summary will depend on the size of the book. However, in general, abstracts of this type are between 1 and 5 pages.
Difference between summary and record and review
Based on its characteristics, it is common to confuse abstract with annotation and review. But it is important to note that they are different types of scientific work . The main similarity is that they are all synthesis of something.
Let’s go to the central concept of each one. First, the filing is done in sheets, only of the most important parts of the work.
On the other hand, the review is the analysis of a text or a theme . In addition to providing a description of the text, the review should also bring other ideas and complementary references. Considering a critical review , it must also comprise a critique of the text.
what is a book summary for?
Well, the main purpose of the book summary is to present the main ideas of the text. That’s why it serves very well as a reference guide to the book.
After all, after a long time you’ve read, it is possible to resume and remember the main concepts of the book through this summary.
From these goals, the uses of a book summary are endless. It can, for example, be used as a tool to assist in reading bibliographies and building theoretical references when doing academic work .
In addition, it is quite common for professors to request a book summary as an evaluation method for some undergraduate or graduate discipline .
So, it is important to write the summary very carefully. It is common for people to simply copy and paste loose sentences and then fail to understand the reflections in the book.
How to make a book summary?
Now that you know what a book summary is, let’s get down to business. Here is a walkthrough with 8 steps to do it. Get to work.
1. Define the objective of the summary and make a plan
You’ve already seen that the summary of a book can have several functionalities, haven’t you? Ask yourself what your summary is for: is it to learn about a new topic? Is it to be delivered as an evaluative activity in some discipline? Is it to save the contents of the book to remember later?
Well, from this objective it is much easier to draw a suitable plan to make your summary. The purpose of the summary will tell you the path you should follow and what your main focus should be.
If it is, for example, for an evaluation activity, you should pay attention to the size and format requested by the teacher. If it is a summary of a book for your work, you should pay attention to the excerpts that deal specifically with your topic.
2. Read the book carefully and write down the main data
As you read the book, some passages will be marked in memory. However, many important parts may go unnoticed later.
Therefore, it is important to make notes of key data and ideas as you read the text.
If it’s a long book, you can jot down the main ideas of each chapter. If it’s a smaller book, you can do this starting with each page or each paragraph.
3. Organize your notes
When you’re done reading, you’ll have all the parts of the summary ready. After all, the overview of the book will be ready.
Then, reread the notes and check which ones are really relevant to the understanding of the book. Arrange them in chronological order. You must discard what is not essential. Remember that the summary must be objective.
4. Write the introduction to the abstract
Now is the time to start writing the summary. Start with the general presentation of the book: name of the work, name of who wrote it, name of the protagonists and the book’s outstanding characteristics. This will be your introduction.
It is essential that the introduction understands, in general, the theme, the historical context and the main characteristics of the book.
5. Present the main details of the narrative
The narrative is the biggest part of the book. Likewise, it also takes up the most space in the abstract. But be careful not to overdo it, okay?
Highlight key events and create a logical sequence of events. Try to summarize each chapter in no more than two or three paragraphs.
At this point, it is important that the text of the abstract also flows. Then present the big picture of the book accurately, without disconnected sentences.
6. Describe the book’s central problem
Be sure to present the central problem of the book. In general, it is around this problem that the entire narrative unfolds.
7. Tell us how the problem was solved
After that, tell how solving the book’s central problem. Show what the main motivations of the characters were and how it happened.
8. Write a conclusion
Finally, write a conclusion. This topic does not need to be separated from the abstract. This is the moment when you present the moral lesson or the criticism that the book’s narrative brings.
