Which term refers to a concise explaining or outlining of the core ideas of a source?

The term that best captures the act of providing a brief and clear overview of the essential ideas from a source is summarization. Summarization involves distilling information down to its most important points, allowing someone to grasp the main concepts without having to read the entire material. This practice is especially useful in academic contexts, as it helps readers quickly understand the core themes or arguments presented in a text.

In contrast, the other terms involve different processes. Interpretation pertains to the act of explaining or providing meaning to a text beyond just condensing its ideas. Defending implies advocating for a particular stance or position, often in response to an argument or criticism. Assessing refers to evaluating or analyzing something critically. Therefore, summarization is the most fitting choice for the definition of outlining core ideas succinctly.