Summary vs Conclusion: What’s the Difference?

Summary or conclusion: What sets them apart?

Well! In all types of writing, summaries and conclusions are very important.

Let’s say you’re writing an essay, research paper, or speech. You’ll need to write a summary or a conclusion.

At first, they might seem the same, but they have different purposes.

Many people find it hard to tell the difference between these two, and that's completely okay.

So, in this article, we’ll explore what a summary and a conclusion are. We’ll also look at how they differ and how to use them well in writing.

Let’s start!

What is a summary?

Ok now! Let’s understand basically what a summary is.

A summary is a short version of the main points in a text. 

It keeps the key information and makes the text shorter.

When you summarize, focus on the main points. Leave out extra details or examples that aren’t needed.

Think of it as a shorter version of the original content. It helps readers quickly understand the main ideas.

Summaries give a quick idea of the main points. They save time and help you understand without reading everything.

For any type of summary, whether it’s summarizing a book, an article, or even a lecture, the goal is always the same: To share the main idea in fewer words!

The structure of a summary

A good summary is well-organized and follows a clear writing structure. It makes sure to include the main points from the original text.

Here's how it’s generally structured:

• Introduction to the topic: To start, write one or two sentences explaining the main idea of the original text. 
• Main points: Next, share the most important points of the text in a logical order. Focus on the main ideas without giving too many details.
• Conclusion: End with a short statement that wraps up the summary. This part doesn’t introduce any new information but rather gives a final thought.

Why is there a need to write a summary?

Now let’s see why we summarize!

Summarizing is important because it helps to condense a large or complex information into a shorter and easy format. 

It helps you and your audience to read quickly and easily. 

And the best use of it is especially when you don’t have the time to read the full text. 

It also helps the writer or reader focus on the most essential ideas without getting stuck by unnecessary details.

Writing a summary helps you understand the content better. It allows you to express text in your own words. 

This leads to better comprehension and improves your writing skills.

Steps for writing an effective summary

Well! Here are some tips of writing an impactful and improved summary:

• Read the original text carefully and understand the main points.
• Identify the central idea or the purpose of the text.
• Pick out the key points that support the main idea and ignore extra details.
• Paraphrase the main points to change the words of the existing content but keeping the original meaning same. You should try our AI paraphraser to make this process easy and more efficient.
• Be concise, aim to keep the summary short and write better sentences. But make sure to cover all important aspects.
• Avoid adding personal opinions or extra information that isn't in the original.
• End with a closing statement that wraps up the summary.
• One of the great ways to summarize is using our AI text summarizer. This tool will efficiently understand the main meaning of your text and shortens it effectively.

When to write a summary?

Now we all know that, we write a summary when we need to shorten a larger piece of text into a smaller and more manageable format. 

However, this is common when summarizing articles, books, or lectures. 

It is also often used in academic settings. There summarizing helps to highlight the key findings of a research paper or a study.

Moreover, one more efficient use of summary is:

When you want to explain something briefly without going into too much detail. 

For example, a summary of an event or an explanation of a news article.

What is the conclusion?

A conclusion is the final part of any writeup like essay, research paper, or presentation. 

Here you wrap everything up!

It sums up the key points discussed throughout the content and often includes a final opinion. 

The main purpose of a conclusion is to sum up the topic. 

As I mentioned earlier, a summary only highlights the main points.

While a conclusion, brings everything together. 

It combines all the information and gives a final thought or recommendation. This is where you wrap things up.

The format of the conclusion

A well-written conclusion should follow this format:

• Restate the main idea: Rephrase the main points of your work in a simple way.
• Summarize key points: Shortly discuss the main point without going into too much detail.
• Final thoughts: End with your final judgment or recommendation.

The importance of writing a conclusion

Writing a conclusion is crucial because it gives your writing a clear end. 

It helps the reader understand the purpose of your text. It also gives them something to think about.

Without a conclusion, your work might seem incomplete or abrupt.

A good conclusion makes your argument stronger. It reminds readers of your main points and explains why they are important.

A conclusion helps readers remember the key ideas and gives them a final takeaway from your content.

How to write an effective conclusion?

Following are the quick steps to write a best conclusion:

• Restate your main argument in a new way without copying from the introduction.
• Summarize the key points of your work concisely.
• Provide a final thought or offer recommendations or solutions to any problems discussed.
• Keep it brief! Your conclusion shouldn’t be too long or too short.
• End with a memorable statement that leaves an impact on the reader.
• Use our AI conclusion generator, it will do the whole work for you. This helps to write a perfect conclusion and finish your writing in a good way. 

When to write a conclusion?

You write a conclusion at the end of your article or other piece of text, just before finishing. 

It is typically placed after the main body and before any references or appendices. 

You should write your conclusion after you’ve fully discussed all of your main points. Make sure that the final part ties everything together neatly.

Examples of summaries and conclusions

Here are some examples of summary and conclusion:

Example 1: Summary and conclusion of a research paper on “Students’ point of view regarding to writing skill”

Summary

This research looks at what students think about writing skills. It focuses on their struggles, what they like, and how important they find writing. (Introduction)

Many students see writing as key to success in school and work. However, they often have trouble with grammar, vocabulary, and organizing ideas. The study shows that good teaching methods and practice help improve writing. (Main point)

Students also said they need feedback that fits their needs and fun activities to increase their confidence and skills. (Conclusion)

Conclusion

Writing is an important skill that improves through practice and good guidance. (Main idea)

The research shows that helping students with their specific struggles and giving useful feedback is really effective. Teachers and schools should create supportive spaces. They should use creative ways to help students grow. (Summarized key points)

When we build writing skills, we help students do well in school. This also prepares them for future careers. (Final thoughts)

Example 2: Summary and conclusion of a book on “time management”

Summary

The book “Time Mastery” by John Smith offers simple tips for better time management. (Introduction)

It explains why it's important to set clear goals. It also shows why you should prioritize tasks and avoid distractions. The author shares simple methods like time blocking and the Pomodoro technique. These tips help you stay focused and get more work done. (Main point)

Real-life examples show that good time management leads to success. It works in both your job and personal life. (Conclusion)

Conclusion

Learning to manage your time can help you to be more productive. It can also reduce your stress. (Main idea)

The book gives clear steps to help you focus better and handle tasks more efficiently. These strategies can make it easy to balance work and personal life. (Summarized key points)

By using these tips regularly, you can achieve more and feel more satisfied. (Final thoughts)

Final thoughts 

In short, both summaries and conclusions are important, but they have different roles in writing. 

A summary shortens the information and shows the key points. 

Whereas, a conclusion covers everything and gives a final thought. 

If you understand these differences, it will help you use them well in your writing. 

This will make your work clear and impactful.

Frequently asked questions

Does a summary include a conclusion?

A summary does not include a conclusion. It briefly explains the main ideas without offering final thoughts or opinions.

What not to do when summarizing?

When summarizing, avoid adding personal opinions or unnecessary details. Stick to the main points and keep it brief.

What not to do when concluding?

Avoid introducing new information in a conclusion. It should focus on summarizing key points and offering final thoughts.