Well, at its most simplistic, summary and analysis is just a more intelligent way of saying description and opinion, activities that we engage in on a daily basis. If your wife asks you about someone you met today, you start with the description and then offer an opinion about the fellow. "Tall, well-dressed, nice enough guy, but a bit too political for me."
Summary and analysis in one short sentence. Simple.
But not quite that simple.
In a literary context, summary and analysis won't be that brief, of course. If you want a reader to understand your point, succinctness will count against you. Clear, concise language and a thorough approach to detail is absolutely necessary to counter possible misunderstandings or misinterpretations of your analysis. Don't assume that the reader understands your position; start from scratch and build the tower from the foundation up. Once they reach the top they'll see the view, and even if they don't enjoy the panorama they will at least see what you see.
It's also important to be aware of your own internal prejudices and biases. These will inevitably filter into your analysis, and that's expected, but they will also color your summary, too, perhaps in a way that doesn't do the original work justice.
Using one of my favorite recent books as an example, The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins, consider the myriad ways this book is summarized in various book reviews (and for some good examples, try http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14743.The_God_Delusion). The critiques are generally, but not always, reflective of the reviewer's religious beliefs, i.e. the book is lambasted in Christian, Orthodox Jewish, and Muslim theological spheres while it is favorably received by mildly religious and nonreligious book reviewers. This is basic human behavior and comes as no surprise, but it is interesting how these same reviewers taint their summations of the book with these very same biases. How can a book be both well-written and horribly written? Both those comments were in many summations of the book, and these are obviously opinions, or arguments, and they belong in the analysis.
The best literary summaries are objectively neutral, keeping our personal feelings out of the text. Our opinions come later, in the analysis.
Truth be told, I don't like doing summaries. It is very boring writing. I prefer to jump right into the arguments, and allow my eloquence to dazzle and entertain, or make me any number of lifelong enemies with my irreverent wit. Summarizing is just too pedantic and pedestrian for me.
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James,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog. You are a great writer. I love it when I can hear some dry humor in something someone has written. I am with you on preferring to write an analysis to a summary. Although, I have to admit I kind of enjoy deciding what to put in a summary that would cause a doubting person to read the literature. It great that you gave an example right off that was simple and easy to understand. It is also something we are all so familiar with. It's interesting how it all comes down to with or without emotion.
Carli
James,
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great post man! I really enjoyed reading it! It was well written and to the point! Had I known nothing about summary versus analysis, I would be more then up to speed on it after reading your post! I especially liked how you say summary versus analysis is simply description and opinion. That is so spot on! That is a great way to describe it, and I like how you incorporated daily life into your post. Thanks for that! Good job!
Sorry, my name's Kyle Audis
DeleteBravo James, well said. I especially like the way you put it when emphasizing the need to communicate thoroughly and without assumption. I quote, "Clear, concise language and a thorough approach to detail is absolutely necessary...Don't assume...build the tower...(love this part)Once they reach the top they'll see the view, and even if they don't enjoy the panorama they will at least see what you see. I agree with you that it is hard, I think imposable, to be 100% objective and also analysis is where the funs at.
ReplyDeleteDean
Dean DeGrootFeb 11, 2012 07:10 PM
ReplyDeleteBravo James, well said. I especially like the way you put it when emphasizing the need to communicate thoroughly and without assumption. I quote, "Clear, concise language and a thorough approach to detail is absolutely necessary...Don't assume...build the tower...(love this part)Once they reach the top they'll see the view, and even if they don't enjoy the panorama they will at least see what you see. I agree with you that it is hard, I think imposable, to be 100% objective and also analysis is where the funs at.
Dean
Sorry for the dual comment. It was a URL copy/paste issue and this was the only way I knew how to correct it.
ReplyDeleteDean
Good post. I liked how you explained the summary and analysis in the most simplistic terms, but yet you also provided the thorough definitions of the two terms. Choosing to use the book The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins was a good idea and I plan to further review this book.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post, your opinions, and the reference to "The God Delusion" by Dawkins(one of my favorite writers). No matter if you agree with the author or not, it is a powerful thing when a writer makes you look at a subject, a theory, or a an observation that you did not consider or think of. This is one of my most favorite things about reading and writing. And it is often that I learn more about people when I am in total disagreement with them. I prefer analytical writing compared to summarizing and I get to unleash my opinions on the world.
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