The
way I see it! Analysis vs. summary.
When I analyze a book or an article, I go through and see what it
is that the author is trying to say to me. I read and reread looking to see
what the point is? Am I getting the
point and or is something other than the purpose of the author coming to me. I
enjoy analyzing. I appreciate being able to pick apart each part of a reading and
see does the author know what he/she is talking about? Is the author credible?
Do I agree with what the author is presenting? Do I understand where the author
is going and to who this might be agreeable to?
A summary on the other hand is telling you exactly what the
material is about. It gives you the complete abbreviation of what the actual
material would be telling you if you read it yourself. A summary is without
emotion because it leaves you no room to have an opinion. It is just the facts
of what the author is trying to tell you.
One of my favorite books right now is A New Earth; I find it a
bit of a difficult read. But, if I were to analyze it I would tell you all the
things that I things Mr. Tolle is trying to get across. I would also tell you
if I felt like he was reaching his audience with what I thought he was trying
to say, and if this was the time to say it. Is the world ready for this now?
If I were to give you a summary of A New Earth, I would tell just
what the book was all about. I would try to give you a feel for what you would
be reading if you were to read the book yourself. I would do that now but I’m not sure I’m there
yet. :)
Image from: http://contemporarylit.about.com/od/philosophyreligion/fr/aNewEarth.htm
I enjoyed your analysis of analysis...and your summary of summaries...trippy...:)
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Summaries are more for laying down the facts and analysis for breaking down what the author is trying to get across. The way I look at it, summaries are more for people who have read the text and analysis is for those that already have, but want more insight. Good job, Carli.
I believe you did a good job of differentiating a summary and analysis. I love the book you picked. Good Oprah Favorite. Tolle is great at relaying eastern spirituality if that is your fancy. The book is both a summary and analysis. The way he presents a lot of his recommendations is simply a summary of most of the Buddhist teachings, and then an analysis of his own . Good Blog.
ReplyDeleteI think you got right to the essence of a summary when you said "It gives you the complete abbreviation of what the actual material would be telling you if you read it yourself". I have also read Tolle and found that it took at least three reads to get to the point where I felt I assimilated what he was writing. That seems to be an important ingredient to analysis as well, having a complete understanding of the literature.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting!