Differences Between Summary and Conclusion: Writing a conclusion can be just as challenging as writing an introduction because it determines whether the work is worthwhile. Both of them leave a deep impression on the reader. A conclusion shifts from a specific to a general statement, whereas an introduction moves from general to specific. A conclusion is an afterword that highlights a point after all pertinent information has been taken into account.
The study paper could seem lacking without a conclusion. Although it is sometimes compared to a summary, there are slight variances between the two. A summary is simply a concise exposition of the book that emphasizes only its key ideas, details, or components. The primary distinction between the Summary and Conclusion is how they are used. While a conclusion’s primary goal is to bring the work to a successful finish, a summary’s primary goal is to highlight the key ideas. These two components have various properties depending on these various uses. Let’s explore the difference between summary and conclusion in more detail.
Meaning of Summary
An article, essay, or other work of literature’s core material can be condensed into a summary. It offers a brief of the writing’s key concepts. One can summarize whatever they have viewed or heard, including interviews, films, lectures, and more.
It often makes up between 5% and 15% of the original piece, or between one and three paragraphs, or between 100 to 300 words. Simply put, it depends on how much material is being summarized. Its objective is to explain a piece of writing with significantly less content than the original.
Sometimes a summary will include a synopsis of a play, film, or book. You may think of the synopsis in this situation as the plot summary. Additionally, an executive summary, which is typically included at the beginning of a report, proposal, business plan, etc., summarizes the entire document and calls attention to its key points. An executive summary should contain information on topical matters, analytical approaches, findings, and conclusions. Similar to an abstract, this should be written after you have completed all of your research.
In business, a summary offers a condensed version of a detailed report. It saves the executives’ time and quickly highlights the business plan or report. A strong and helpful summary could seal the deal for a business. The last paragraph of a summary is the conclusion because a summary includes one. It does this by identifying the main ideas of the article.
A summary tries to save time by providing the main points of the content; readers can then determine if the entire document is worth reading or not after reading the summary.
Meaning of Conclusion
The term “conclusion” refers to the epilogue that is provided at the end of anything to clarify the results. It is a component of the thought process that integrates all the points raised to arrive at a full notion or statement. It is the last phase in the reasoning process, where a judgment, choice, or opinion is made following a thorough research and thought. Various viewpoints are taken into consideration while concluding. There are two sections, a summary, and the last thought, and they only make up 10% of the study report.
With a conclusion, the researcher can express their last thoughts on the points made in the study. It also links ideas together, emphasizes their significance, and challenges readers’ preconceptions of the subject. You should avoid restating the topic phrases or providing new information in the conclusion, instead focusing on the text’s small details and avoiding sentimental or emotional appeals in an otherwise analytical and intellectual essay. Typically, it represents a document’s ultimate decision.
Any document’s final paragraph is a crucial component. It must be interesting and appealing, and it should leave the reader with a positive impression of the entire work. In addition, a conclusion includes recommendations for how to address the issues raised in the text as well as the results of any additional research. A conclusion must be included at the end of every report or business plan.
A research report’s conclusion seeks to emphasize its key points and insights so that readers can gain a sense of the report’s overall topic after reading it. The conclusion is brief and has a few paragraphs.
Major differences between a Summary and Conclusion
1. A summary is a condensed version of a literary work that expresses the important ideas clearly. Contrarily, a conclusion is the final section of a speech that sums up the argument and expresses an opinion or judgment.
2. A summary is produced to give the reader a clear, factual account of the main points and features of the original text. The conclusion paragraph, on the other hand, sums up the text and shows the reader what you have achieved about your initial goals.
3. A conclusion tends to synthesize all the points and bring the discussion to a close, whereas a summary simply repeats the details and topics covered in the main report. It aids the reader in appreciating the significance of the study.
4. The conclusion should only make up 10% of the original work, whereas the summary should be between 5% and 15% in length.
5. A summary often provides a succinct and clear illustration of the text’s main concepts. The conclusion, in contrast, offers a fresh perspective, suggests a course of action, resolves the issue, gives recommendations for further research and draws judgments on the argument.
6. Only the main points of the original text are included in a summary. Nobody should add their commentary, criticism, interpretations, or opinions. In contrast, the conclusion can incorporate the researcher’s or writer’s final opinions, suggestions, and criticisms.
Conclusion
Any academic paper should include two distinct portions, including a summary and a conclusion. Both differ from one another in terms of where they appear in the document, what they say, and how long they are. A summary both draws attention to the content and informs the reader of the most crucial information. A conclusion, on the other hand, offers the reader a sense of closure regarding the topic or argument in addition to a justification or concluding remark. It concentrates on the perspective that the study or argument takes.
