What does it mean to "summarize" a passage?

To "summarize" a passage means to restate the main ideas and important details briefly. Summarization involves distilling the information down to its essential points, capturing the core message without including every single detail. This skill is essential for understanding and conveying the gist of a text, allowing readers to grasp the key concepts quickly. By focusing on the main ideas, a summary helps in retaining the overall meaning and significance of the passage while eliminating extraneous information that might obscure the central themes. This approach encourages comprehension and clarity, making it a valuable tool in both reading and writing.