Analytical and descriptive writing styles are distinct methodologies used in academic and research writing. While both styles serve a purpose, they are unique in their approach and presentation of information.
Key Takeaways
- Descriptive writing aims to provide readers with facts and information, answering questions such as what, when, and where.
- Analytical writing focuses on evaluation, comparison, and examination of facts, answering questions such as why, what, and what next.
- Descriptive writing is often characterized by rich language and metaphors, while analytical writing features structured content and logical conclusions.
Descriptive Writing
Descriptive writing is considered a simpler form of academic writing, as it primarily focuses on presenting facts and information to readers. This style of writing answers questions like what, when, where, and who. Examples of descriptive writing include summaries of articles or scientific experiment results. Instructors may use words such as summarize, collect, define, list, report, or identify to indicate that they want descriptive writing.
Descriptive writing can be used to describe individuals, places, or things, and aims to provide readers with a vivid image or feeling. This often involves using rich language and heavily loaded words full of metaphors. Although some pieces are purely descriptive, this style of writing is often used as an introduction or prelude to other styles.
Analytical Writing
Analytical writing focuses on evaluation, comparison, and analysis, going beyond merely describing an event, person, or thing. This style of writing answers questions like why, what, and what next. It requires the writer to present information in an argumentative manner, using reasoning and evidence to support their claims.
In analytical writing, the primary goal is not to provide facts or information, but to examine, compare, and evaluate them to make a judgment. This writing style often establishes cause and effect relationships. The content in analytical writing is more structured and logically organized, leading to a conclusion.
Analytical vs Descriptive
While descriptive and analytical writing styles may seem exclusive and completely different from one another, it is often necessary to use both in a single piece. Descriptive writing is best for answering questions such as what, when, and where, while analytical writing is better suited for answering why, what, and what next.
The purpose of descriptive writing is to present facts and information, whereas the purpose of analytical writing is to analyze, compare, and evaluate something. Descriptive writing is characterized by richer language, while analytical writing features more structured content and logical conclusions.
