A summary is describing a topic with major details. I like to think of summary as RE-describing what the reader already knows, and highlighting main points for the subject. A summary is usually used for projects that points out information that the audience is unaware of. A summary usually consists of the five W’s; who, what, where, when, and why. Answering all of the W’s in a quick presentation will give you a complete summary of a topic.
On the other hand, an analysis essay is a sort of examination of a topic. Background information or a summary of the subject in order to analyze the subject into greater detail. After gathering information about the subject, the next step is to find the main points that make up the topic and come up with an argument. An example of this; The Cat in the Hat, is about two children that are in charge of keeping their home clean while their mother is away at work. The cat comes along and begins to ruin everything in the house, and it’s the children’s responsibility to get the house clean in time. An analysis of this story could be, young children are not responsible enough to be in charge of themselves without adult supervision.
It is very easy to get summary and analysis mixed up between each other; such as writing an analysis is hard to do without giving a summary about a subject. But once you figure out the difference between the two, they are very distinct from each other.
http://sixthings.net/2010/10/07/six-writing-analysis-tools/
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your post on summary and analysis. Your post definitely clarifies the difference between the two. I like that you included the “5 W’s” that actually helped me to write my own paper last week. You example was also very to the point (The Cat in the Hat- such a classic!) I think that your post could easily be used as a quick reference point for someone who is unclear on the difference between summary and analysis. More so, when you said that, “a summary is usually used for projects that points out information that the audience is unaware of,” it clarified the point even more for the reader. Keep up the good work, and good luck with your next posts!
Stacey
Hey Hey Sierra, way to hit this one out of park, I mean you really explained everything really well. I also agree with you on that it is a bit of a struggle when trying to write an analysis without a little summary included. The reason I feel that way is because a little bit of extra information only makes ones argument stronger and it helps keep folks in tune. Furthermore, the mini analysis you gave of the cat in the hat was awesome and unique. Dr. Seuss is a classic. Keep on keeping on.
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