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(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 the 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 |
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