A plot summary is a short narrative of a piece of literature (e.g. story, novel, drama, film etc.). This brief description provides an idea of what happens in that particular piece of work.

For any visual work (i.e. film or drama), it can be compared with the 'trailer' or 'teaser'. In a printed (readable/written text) plot summary, it usually does not exceed one single paragraph while summarizing the key points of the particular story.

A plot summary is often used as an 'advertising tool' for that particular literary work (i.e. as a 'hook' to attract readers).