Final answer:
A summary is a concise and objective account of the main points of a text, capturing its essence without personal interpretation or detailed analysis, which is essential in academic writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
A summary is a concise representation of a text's main points, written in your own words, omitting unnecessary details. It should capture the essence of the material, highlighting the primary arguments or statements without providing a personal opinion or extensive analysis. To write an effective summary, one should identify the key elements of the content, such as the thesis or central ideas, and articulate these concisely. Especially within academic writing, summarizing can serve as a way to give background information or to simplify complex ideas for easier understanding. Furthermore, a well-constructed summary reflects the writer's ability to evaluate the source material and present a clear synopsis that supports their own research or writing purposes.