Descriptive and Analytical Writing

Descriptive Assignment

•States what happens
•Reports ‘facts’/results
•Summarizes books
•Outlines theories
•Gives information
•Explains ideas
•Lists details
•Tells what has been done
•Tends to use lots of quotes
•Gives a summary of a piece of literature
•Makes lists of things (literature, theories...)
•Gives the ‘facts’: measurements, data, etc.
•Sets out the history of an event, idea, etc.
•Gives a biography of important people
•Summarizes what is known about the topic

 

Slide 2

Analytical Assignment

Identifies key issues

Evaluates strengths

Considers alternatives

Evaluates alternatives

Gives reasons for choices

Looks for links/causes

Challenges (logic, data, etc…)

Probes and tests: informed and reasoned

Gives a clear and confident account which refuses simply to accept what has been said

Gives a balanced account of pros & cons of ideas

Avoids unsubstantiated assertions

Does not assert or assume something is simply true

Uses paragraphs to develop and expand ideas

Gives a clear and precise account of the relevant

evidence and arguments

Backs up argument with evidence

Gives reasons for conclusion

Recognizes limitations (tends, suggests..)

Avoids simplistic conclusions


Slide 3

Differences between descriptive and analytical assignments

• Descriptive writing merely sets the background

– Represents the situation as it stands

– Does not analyze or challenge

• Descriptive writing is attractive because it is relatively simple

– Often used to ‘pad out’ essays and assignments

• Analytical or critical writing transforms the information

– Not reporting but constructing an argument

– Pushing the ideas forward

– Has a ‘line’ – a thread of ideas from start to finish

Assignments need a good balance between description (scene-setting) and analysis.


Slide 4

Common Ground of Descriptive and Analytical Assignments

• Outline key ideas, books, theories, concepts

• Research: account of method, process, etc.

• Personal reflection:

-Formal: third person (“it was found that...”)
-Tentative: (“it has been suggested”, “it could..”)
-Logical and reasoned argument (“this follows from that”, “this is true because”, etc...)

Slide 5

Be sure of the good traits of analytical assignments

Good critical thinking is systematic

– like a criminal investigation; you need to:

• Investigate the problem thoroughly

• Prosecute and defend the ideas

• Cross examine the witnesses (literature)

• Sum up and consider theory

• Reach an informed verdict

– In the light of this evidence, it seems that....





Last modified: Friday, August 14, 2020, 12:53 PM