Community Contributor

BuzzFeed

Pretty straightforward--can you tell a paragraph of summary apart from a paragraph of analysis?

Summary Or Analysis?

In the essay “Our Sprawling, Supersize Utopia”, David Brooks argues that the general view of the suburbs is different from the suburbs’ “reality” (61). Brooks claims that in reality the suburbs motivate and spark movement and imagination, rather than perpetuate “bland” and “superficial” ways of life (65). He notes differences of suburbs, traces the diverse ways of suburbanite life, and shows how their perspectives motivate their impulsive and unique actions.

Sample 1

Tannen begins her essay by relating a personal anecdote in which she studied the clothing, hairstyles, and makeup of three women attending an academic conference. In doing so, her unstated assumption is that bodies—particularly female bodies—are a text to be read. The idea of the female body as text pervades the essay, as she applies linguistic evidence to gender markers and repeatedly speaks of sexiness and femininity in terms of “sending a message” and “telling stories” (446).

Analysis: uses specific quotes as evidence for a claim about the unstated assumption of the author.

Sample 2

The idyllic life described in the opening chapters of Le Guin’s “The Ones who Walk Away from Omelas” abounds with images that are recognizable to many Americans. While the joy present in these fictional citizens casts an unfamiliar light over all their activities, the scenes themselves are not strange. As the people reach the Green Fields for the festival, “a marvelous smell of cooking goes forth” (734) as the young and old enjoy abundant and delicious food. In Omelas, there is plenty to spare, and no one appears to go hungry. The people’s lives are untouched by war or violence, and their children grow up protected and innocent. These details represent an idealized America, where all the American dreams have really come true.

Sample 3

In Ursula K. Le Guin’s short story “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas,” the science fiction and fantasy writer takes up the challenge of William James, who postulated a society where everyone lives in perfect happiness at the cost of one person who must live in misery. She has brought this abstract idea to life in the city of Omelas, where there is nothing but celebration and plenty. Le Guin tellingly notes, however, that the reader will not accept this city as a reality. The reader cannot believe in Omelas until the author introduces the child in the basement, who is forced to live in misery to sustain the happiness of the city.

Sample 4

Christ’s entrance into the play contrasts with that of the tyrants in every possible way. His sovereignty is first spoken of by others, so that he need make no claims himself; although Simon and Mary both seek him out for his nobleness and lordship, his own speeches express humility and emphasize peace and grace. In this pivotal scene, Christ’s appearance, speech, and staging serve as an exemplar of humble sovereignty, characterizing him, and subsequently the power that he wields, as feminine in its expression, if not its substance.

Analysis. First sentence is a claim, followed by a targeted sentence of summarized evidence (you will want to use more specific evidence for your own paragraphs), and then explanation of why that evidence supports the opening claim.

Sample 5

Bacevich highlights the set of beliefs he thinks lead to this cultural change. Most important is the belief that America ought to be the world’s police force (12). Supporting this credo is a set of practices: maintaining several hundred military bases all over the world, deploying the military constantly whether there is a conflict or not, and intervening in conflicts regardless of whether they pose a real threat to the US (13-4). Bacevich believes these practices have created a culture of permanent war and helped bankrupt America (18-20).

Sample 6

In Shadow of the Colossus, a man (Wander) travels to a forbidden land with his recently deceased lover (Mono) pursuing a legend that the dead can be revived there. He arrives at a ruined temple where a disembodied voice (Dormin) explains that Mono can be revived if Wander fells the 16 Colossi that dwell in the land, a deal Wander accepts. Meanwhile, Wander is being pursued, as a traitor, by people from his own land (Lord Emon and Company).

Sample 7

The Beowulf Poet uses humanoid language to describe Grendel; one such example is the Poet’s use of ‘wer’ (man) in line 105a. Old English ‘wer,’ conservatively refers to a male of any kind, though the Oxford English Dictionary suggests that reading ‘wer’ as ‘human man’ would not be misguided. The poet’s use of ‘wer’ for Grendel is telling: it characterizes him as humanoid, which invites, if not sympathy, at least association.

Analysis: the writer identifies significant word choice and explains why that word choice supports the claim.

Sample 8

Shortly before his untimely demise, Ryan poses the question: “What separates a man from a slave?” His conclusion? “A man chooses, a slave obeys.” A gamer must accept a central contradiction: she must recognize that in-game actions are pre-selected (especially those that involve cut-scenes), but for her immersion in the game world to truly work she must accept that these choices are somehow ‘hers.’ When Jack flashes back and realizes that every in-game direction began with, “would you kindly?,” that he had no other choice than to comply, the gamer is reminded that these choices were never hers. To move the plot, one must obey. Which returns to Ryan’s question: are gamers men, or slaves?

Analysis, especially toward the end of the paragraph. The writer uses a pattern of repetition ("Would you kindly?") to support a claim about the effect of the game on the gamer.

Sample 9

The pinnacle of Mary’s spiritual power comes through this retreat into a contemplative life in the desert, where she lives for thirty years, the same amount of time as Christ’s life on earth. Mary achieves the highest spiritual honors in the desert, living in daily physical contact with heaven, and her power is recognized by both angels and the visiting priest. At her death and entrance into heaven, Christ promises her a crown as her true inheritance, and with her last words she celebrates “thou mythty Lord of hye mageste” (2105).

Sample 10

About BuzzFeed Community

Community Brand Guidelines

BuzzFeed Community

Sorry, this content is <i>no longer</i> supported.

BuzzFeed Community Guidelines

BuzzFeed Community Leaderboard

BuzzFeed News has breaking stories and original reporting on politics, world news, social media, viral trends, health, science, technology, entertainment, and LGBTQ issues.

All the best animals on the internet. The snuggle is real.

BuzzFeed has breaking news, vital journalism, quizzes, videos, celeb news, Tasty food videos, recipes, DIY hacks, and all the trending buzz you’ll want to share with your friends. Copyright BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved.

BuzzFeed News | Breaking News | Original Reporting | News Analysis

Animal Pictures and Videos - Adorably from BuzzFeed

Name

Thanks for subscribing!

Stay up to date with our latest BuzzFeed video. Enter your email to subscribe!

Oops! Upload an image or add text to submit.

BuzzFeed has the hottest, most social content on the web. We feature breaking buzz and the kinds of things you'd want to pass along to your friends.

Browse links

Summary Or Analysis?

1.

Summary Or Analysis?

1.

Share This Article