What is the term for explaining a story or poem in a much shorter space using the reader's own words?

The term for explaining a story or poem in a much shorter space using the reader's own words is "summarize." When summarizing, the goal is to condense the main ideas and essential points of the text while omitting details and personal opinions. This technique helps to provide a brief overview that captures the essence of the original work, making it easier for someone else to understand the main concepts without reading the entire piece.

Summarizing is particularly useful in academic settings, where it can demonstrate a reader's comprehension of a text by highlighting key themes, characters, and events. It's distinct from other techniques such as analyzing, which involves a deep examination of the text's elements, or interpreting, which seeks to uncover meaning and implications. Paraphrasing, on the other hand, rephrases specific passages while maintaining the original length and depth, rather than condensing the overall message.