What’s the difference between description and critical analysis?
| Author: | Unknown author |
| Description: | No short description/abstract listed |
| Estimated activity time: | No time listed |
| Type of media: | No media types have been listed for this resource. |
| Licence: | There does not appear to be a licence attached to this resource. |
| Category: | Critical Thinking and Reflection |
| Tags: |
Classroom activity, Study guide |
| Date: | This information/resource was last updated in . |
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 |
