Summary Vs Analysis

               Although there are distinct and clear cut differences between summary and analysis, the two are easily confused. Perhaps because it is easy to simply summarize a piece of literature, rather then get into the meat and potatoes of it and really dissect it. For whatever reason it may be, the main problem with summary versus analysis is that many do not fully understand the difference between the two.

                A summary is simply a recap of the material presented. When summarizing a story or piece of writing, you are simply retelling it in condensed form, highlighting critical and important parts. A summary gives the reader a chance to know what they are getting themselves into, without bias, opinion or argument. There can be no room for judgment or argument, because a summary simply puts the material out there, it does not dissect it in any way.

                An analysis is an interpretation and opinion of the material given. In analysis, an opinion or argument is given about the piece of writing based on facts and evidence about the piece. In an analysis, thought provoking dissection and evaluation is done, examining every detail and word to support the claim. An analysis takes much more thought and work then a summary, and is one’s own interpretation of the material.

                For me to describe summary versus analysis, let’s take the book Animal Farm by George Orwell. To summarize this book, I might say that it is a story about a bunch of animals on a farm who decide they are tired of being slaves to man. They overtake their farm by driving out their farmer Mr Jones.  After the animals take over, the pigs assume leadership. Over the course of the book, the pigs fight for power, one overthrows another and after years pass, the pigs begin to walk upright and carry whips and form an alliance with humans. At the end, the other animals cannot tell the difference any longer between the faces of the pigs and humans because they all look alike.  In this summary, no argument can be made because I am simply explaining what the book is about, I am not making a claim or judgment about the book. In an analysis, I might say that the author, George Orwell wrote Animal Farm to show his readers what happens politically in organizations and how easily it’s members can be manipulated. In my analysis, I would show evidence of my claim and perhaps give some history and insight as to the timeframe of this book, the background of Geroge Orwell and his political views at the time. One could easily argue my opinion, saying he did not want write Animal Farm for this reason. An analysis goes far beyond a summary.   

Image Link
For more information about summary versus analysis