Which of the following best defines a summary?

A summary is best defined as a brief statement of main points because it distills the essential ideas or key information from a larger text, event, or body of work into a concise form. The purpose of a summary is to convey the main themes or concepts without getting bogged down in unnecessary details or lengthy explanations.

In contrast, a detailed narrative of events would provide an expansive recounting of occurrences, which is not the essence of a summary. A formal speech to an audience typically involves presenting information or arguments in a structured manner and is much more extensive and formal than a summary. Lastly, a sequence of actions in a play refers specifically to the plot and movements of characters, focusing on drama rather than summarizing content. Thus, the key characteristic of a summary is its brevity and focus on main points, aligning perfectly with the selected definition.