Final answer:
Summarizing is about condensing original documents into shorter forms that contain the main ideas and details, written in the summarizer's own words.
Step-by-step explanation:
Summarizing is a critical skill in the historical thinking process and entails creating a shorter version of an original document while retaining the main point and significant details in your own words.
It starts with quickly examining documents to identify the subject, author, purpose, and audience, as well as the key ideas and facts explicitly stated. A summary is useful for understanding the topic and scope, especially when specific details are unimportant for your research question.
Writing a summary before drafting a paper can aid in organizing your thoughts and reveal what arguments you wish to pursue. Ultimately, a summary makes complex ideas more accessible and can provide vital background information in, for example, a literature essay.