An overview of content that provides a reader with the overarching theme, but does not expand on specific details. A summary describes a larger work (such as an entire book, speech, or research project), and should include noticeably less content then the original work. Summaries can save a reader time because it prevents the reader from having to actually go through and filter the important information from the unimportant. "Ben was able to review the well-written summary provided by his peer, instead of re-reading the entire textbook, and as a result he still received an A on his mid-term."
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