Summary and Analysis When I first look at the two ways to look at a piece of writing, I look at them as being quite similar. However, as I looked into the meaning of each further, I’ve seen many differences. A summary is a brief recounting of what the writer wrote where you set aside your personal bias and simply report. Analysis, on the other hand, involves breaking down the literary piece, inputting your own personal bias and opinion on whether the broken down elements benefit or degrade the piece. As was illustrated by our instructor, summaries are much like the book reports we used to do in school. We answer the question, ‘what happened in the book?’ If we were to analyze the book we read, we would break it down to the many elements that make it good or bad writing. What is the theme of the book? How was the plot? Were the characters well developed? When we dip into analysis, we shy away from the actual events and delve more into how those events affected the piece as a whole and how applying the elements of good writing made it what it was. So when would we want a summary over an analysis or vice versa? Alluding again to our instructor, if one hasn’t ever seen Cinderella, they would prefer a summary. Summaries are better for introducing the audience to the piece. Now if somebody has already been introduced to the piece, an analysis would be more appropriate. Then you can break down the elements of the work and truly delve into the piece.