Analyze Vs Summarize
Objective: to help students understand the difference between analyzing a text and summarizing a text. Works well accompanied by “summarizing without biased.”
Directions:
· Begin by explaining to the class that summarizing is restating what the author has said, where analyzing is saying why the author says it.
· Example: *insert some kid’s name in class* “Billy! Look at me when I speak about summarizing and analyzing so I know you know what I’m talking about!”
· Ask a student to summarize what you just said. They should come up with something along the lines of, “You want Billy to pay attention.” Have someone in the class try to explain why that is correct and a good summary.
· Now ask a student to analyze what you said. They should come up with something along the lines of, “The information we’re covering is similar yet very different and Billy may be messing around in the back of the class so you need to have his full attention so Billy has a better chance at grasping summary and analysis.” Obviously it won’t be as easy to get an analysis out of the class, so help them along a little until you get an answer you are satisfied with.
· Show a clip from a film that has a lot of blatant symbolism. The Church scene from Cool Hand Luke is good, or the scene from Happy Feet when the elders kick the weird guy out of the colony.
· Ask your class to first summarize the clip. In their own words, what did they just see. Give them about five minutes to write.
· Show the clip again if needed, but now ask the class to analyze what they just viewed. What is the movie trying to portray? Are there social issues in the lining of this scene? How is the direction using this scene to convey meaning or get the viewers attention? I suggest giving a little bit more time for this write.
· Ask a few students to share their writing. After each presentation, ask the class what differences they notice and how, if applicable, the student may be slipping between summarizing and analyzing.
· As a take home writing assignment, have students to read an essay from Writing College, Writing Life or whatever text you use and ask them to write a short summary of the essay as well as analyze the essay.
Source:
Ashley Gould, MFA and TA