What is the difference between a summary and a paraphrase?

• A. A paraphrase is shorter than the original
• B. A summary repeats exact phrases from the source
• C. A summary restates main ideas concisely; a paraphrase restates a specific passage in your own words with similar length and detail
• D. A paraphrase uses no quotations

Answer: (C)

Think about how we restate information from a source. A summary captures the big ideas of the whole passage in a shorter form, while a paraphrase rewrites a specific part in your own words, keeping roughly the same length and level of detail as the original.

So, the best choice says exactly that: a summary restates the main ideas concisely, and a paraphrase restates a particular passage in your own words with similar length and detail. This distinction helps you choose the right type of restatement depending on whether you’re covering the entire text or just a specific section.

For context, a summary would leave out smaller details and examples and focus on the overall message. A paraphrase would reword a sentence or paragraph from the source so it reads as if you wrote it, without changing the meaning or leaving out essential specifics.

Common misunderstandings to avoid: paraphrasing isn’t defined by being shorter or by avoiding quotes altogether, and summaries aren’t just about repeating exact phrases; they’re about capturing the main ideas in new, shorter form.