What’s the difference between description and critical analysis?
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WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DESCRIPTION AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS?
This post was originally added to Learnhigher on:
(writing adapted from Moon, cited in Cottrell 1999:23)
Descriptive writing |
Critical/analytical writing |
States what happened | Identifies the significance |
States what something is like | Evaluates (judges the value) strengths and weaknesses |
Gives the story so far | Weighs one piece of information against another |
States the order in which things happened | Makes reasoned judgements |
Says how to do something | Argues a case according to evidence |
Explains what a theory says | Shows why something is relevant or suitable |
Explains how something works | Indicates why something will work (best) |
Notes the method used | Indicates whether something is appropriate or suitable |
Says when something occurred | Identifies why they timing is important |
States the different components | Weighs up the importance of component parts |
States options | GIves reason for the selection of each option |
Lists details | Evaluates the relative significance of details |
Lists in any order | Structures information in order (eg. of importance) |
States links between items | Shows the relevance of links between pieces of information |
Gives information | Draws conclusions |