Summary vs. Analysis

So you’ve got your basic outline set. You’ve chosen your quotes, and know where you want to go with your essay. You start writing, and halfway through realize all you’ve done for the past few hours is summarize the reading when you needed to make analysis.

What went wrong? Well first, what is the difference between summary and analysis? It’s easy to get the two mixed up. In essence, a summary is a rewriting of what you have read, in your own words. In a summary, one does not evaluate and examine the text beyond the surface meaning; it’s simply a concise way to retell what the author has said. Summary can be important when introducing the plot of a story you are analyzing, but it should not be confused with the actual analysis. The analysis breaks down aspects of a story and shows how those aspects create meaning. The meaning you are trying to illustrate is essentially your thesis.

Yes, the point of an analytical essay is to come up with a thesis, and use the work to prove that thesis. A simple restating of the plot points will not achieve this. The reader needs to explain why certain elements of the story (character, setting, plot, figurative language) help to prove the thesis. Summary restates the facts; analysis explains the hidden meanings. Analysis can also question the author, critique the text, and evaluate the credibility of the work. A summary will just restate what the author has said.

Ultimately, summary tells you what, while analysis tells you why.

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-The CAS English Blog