Critical vs. Descriptive Writing

Introduction

• Differences between descriptive writing and critical (analytical) writing
• Importance of critical writing in dissertations, theses, and research papers
• Grad Coach offers guidance for academic research and writing

Descriptive Writing

• Communicates the what, where, when, or who
• Describes a thing, place, time, or person
• Example: "Yesterday the President unexpectedly fired the Minister of Finance"

Critical Writing

• Explores the impact, importance, or meaning (the so what)
• Also referred to as analytical writing
• Example: "The President's unexpected firing of the well-respected Finance Minister had an immediate negative impact on investor confidence..."

Linking Writing to Objectives

• Critical writing should connect to the research aims, objectives, and questions
• Example: Impact of currency devaluation on the demand for imported vegetables

Application in Academic Writing

• Literature Review:
  • Descriptive: Explains what a theory, author, or journal article said
  • Critical: Explains relevance to research questions
• Methodology Chapter:
  • Descriptive: States which methods were used
  • Critical: Explains why methods are relevant and justified
• Discussion Chapter:
  • Descriptive: States a relationship between variables
  • Critical: Explains the meaning of this relationship in terms of research questions, comparisons to existing research, and potential contrasts

Balancing Descriptive and Critical Writing

• Descriptive writing is necessary but should be kept to a minimum
• Focus on critical, analytical writing
• Identify every descriptive point (what) and ensure it is accompanied by a critical conclusion (so what) where necessary

Conclusion

• Importance of balancing descriptive and critical writing for earning marks
• Follow Grad Coach for more academic writing tips
• Grad Coach offers private coaching support for research projects