Plot Summary is merely paraphrase of the story line. Generally it is short and recaps who, what, where, and when.
Summary is easier to write about, so when new to analysis, which is hard, many students revert to summation.
Ask these questions to help determine if you are summarizing:
1. Am I stating something that would be obvious to anyone who has read the work?
2. Am I describing the who, what, where, and when of the plot?
Literary Analysis evaluates, interprets, examines a piece of text (quotation) and MAKES A CONNECTION to the meaning. Sometimes author's craft is analyzed; other times the deeper meaning, or theme is explored. Analysis is usually longer and answers why or how a device functions.
Ask these questions to help determine if you are analyzing:
1. Have a presented a new idea?
2. Have I organized my essay around my ideas rather than the chronological order of the plot?
3. Am I explaining how a piece of the text is important or significant?