How to Summarise an Article – A Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Best AI Tools

We're all drowning in content. The sheer volume of information is overwhelming, from long blog posts and news articles to detailed academic papers. Whether you're a student trying to grasp key points for a report, a researcher navigating journals, or a professional seeking quick insights, summarizing articles has become crucial.

Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE

Free Download

But traditional summarizing isn't easy. It takes time, focus, and identifying the main ideas. Most people either don't have the time or struggle with the process. That's where AI summarizer tools come in.

So, how do you write a clear, concise, and accurate summary? And which tool should you use?

This article walks you through exactly how to summarize an article using five popular tools. It provides practical guidance and personal recommendations, especially regarding the advantages of using Toolsmart's AI Summarizer.

Part 1: How to Use Toolsmart's AI Summarizer

Toolsmart's AI Summarizer is a free, user-friendly tool that generates summaries instantly. Whether you’re writing a blog post, article, or academic text, Toolsmart breaks down the content into digestible points without requiring sign-ups or payment.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Go toToolsmart's Free AI Summarizer
You'll land on a clean, distraction-free interface.

Step 2: Paste your text or upload a document
You can paste a blog post, article content, or research text into the input field.

Step 3: Click "Summarize."
The tool processes your input and generates a concise summary within seconds.

Step 4: Review the summary
Read through the generated summary. You can manually adjust the tone or length, or use the "Paraphrase" feature if needed.

Writer's Thoughts:

Toolsmart made summarizing effortless. There was no sign-up or ads; just copy, paste, and get results. The summaries were accurate and easy to understand. It's an excellent choice for first-time users. Toolsmart is an ideal starting point if you're new to AI summarizers. Its clean interface and dependable output make it user-friendly and practical.

Part 2: How to Use Scispace to Summarize an Article

Scispace (formerly Typeset.io) is built for academic use. It's ideal for researchers or students who need to decipher complex scientific content.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Visitscispace.com
Sign up if prompted. The tool may require a free account.

Step 2: Upload a PDF or paste your article text
Scispace mainly focuses on scientific papers and PDF formats.

Step 3: Click on “AI Copilot”
This AI assistant extracts the summary and explains difficult terms, tables, or figures.

Step 4: Explore summaries and explanations
You can highlight specific sections to generate targeted summaries or questions.

Writer's Thoughts:

Scispace is powerful for academic content. I used it on a dense neuroscience paper, which helped explain and summarize key sections. However, it's not the most intuitive tool for casual users. You'll benefit most if you're a student or researcher working with complex data. The AI Copilot feature is genuinely impressive in breaking down technical jargon.

Part 3: How to Use ChatGPT to Summarize an Article

ChatGPT stands out as one of the most adaptable AI tools available today. The right prompt can summarize anything from a paragraph to a full research paper.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Go tochat.openai.com
Create an account if you don't already have one.

Step 2: Paste your article or upload it using the document feature (for Plus users)
Keep your prompt specific. For example, "Summarize this article in 150 words."

Step 3: Hit Enter and review the output
You can refine your request by asking for bullet points or focusing on specific sections, such as the introduction or methodology.

Writer's Thoughts:

I've used ChatGPT to summarize articles, scripts, emails—you name it. The flexibility is unmatched. You can tailor your request however you like, and it responds accordingly. However, it requires you to know what to ask. For beginners, this might feel a bit open-ended. If you prefer more structure, tools like Toolsmart offer a simpler alternative.

Part 4: How to Use Explainpaper to Summarize an Article

ExplainPaper helps break down academic papers by providing clear, digestible explanations of highlighted sections. It's designed to demystify content that's jargon-heavy.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Go toexplainpaper.com
No registration is needed to test the tool.

Step 2: Upload a PDF of your research article
The tool works best with academic papers.

Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE

Free Download

Step 3: Highlight sections you don't understand
The AI gives you a simplified explanation or summary for that part.

Step 4: Use the breakdown to build your summary
You can extract simplified sections and rewrite your article summary using them.

Writer's Thoughts:

I liked Explainpaper's targeted approach. Instead of summarizing the entire article, it helps you understand what's unclear. This tool is ideal if you struggle with complex terms or concepts. It's not ideal for summarizing general articles or blog posts—it shines in academic settings.

Part 5: How to Use FreeSummarizer to Summarize an Article

FreeSummarizer is a no-frills, browser-based tool that generates quick summaries. It's designed for straightforward use.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1: Visitfreesummarizer.com
No account or software download needed.

Step 2: Paste your text into the input field
You can copy content from any article or document.

Step 3: Choose the number of summary sentences
Adjust this based on how long or short you want the summary.

Step 4: Click "Summarize."
You'll get a quick output you can review, copy, or save.

Writer's Thoughts:

FreeSummarizer is decent for quick results, especially if you don't need in-depth analysis. I used it to summarize a news article, and it delivered key points in under 10 seconds. However, the interface feels outdated, and there's no option for advanced customization. It's great for casual use, not academic work.

Part 6: Comparison of the Five Methods

Here's how I found each tool after real-world testing:

Part 7: Why I Prefer Toolsmart's AI Summarizer

After testing all five tools, I return to Toolsmart's AI Summarizer. Here's why:

• Simplicity Wins: It's clean, clutter-free, and doesn't require sign-ups or downloads.
  

• Speed and Accuracy: I pasted a 1,200-word article and got a clear, well-structured summary in under 10 seconds.
  

• Customizable Options: I love the option to rewrite or paraphrase the result, which makes it even more versatile.
  

• Beginner-Friendly: You don't need any technical knowledge. Just paste, click, and read.
  

While tools like ChatGPT offer more flexibility, crafting prompts requires more effort. Toolsmart is perfect for those who want results fast without compromising quality.

Best of all? It's free and works directly in your browser without requiring any installation.

FAQs

1. Why should I use AI tools to summarize articles?

AI summarizers quickly distill long articles into key points, saving time and mental energy. Tools like Toolsmart analyze text using semantic models to ensure meaningful and relevant output.

2. How secure is my data when using these tools?

Platforms like Toolsmart delete user data after processing and use encryption for input protection. However, always check the privacy policy before submitting sensitive documents.

3. What if the summary doesn't meet my expectations?

Try refining your input or using built-in features like "Longer Summary" or "Rewrite." Toolsmart, for example, allows you to tweak and reprocess summaries based on your preferences.