An "excerpt" is a short portion or segment taken from a larger text, such as a book, article, or speech. It is often used to highlight key ideas, themes, or important passages without requiring the reader to engage with the entire work. Excerpts can be found in various formats, including academic papers, reviews, and promotional materials. Excerpts serve multiple purposes, such as providing a preview of the content, illustrating a point, or offering a concise summary. They are commonly used in literary analysis, where critics may quote an author to support their arguments or interpretations.