Analytical vs.

Descriptive writing

What is Analytical writing?

Analytical writing is the communication of the fruits of
analysis through writing; its primary purpose is to
inform. We might, therefore, understand analytical
writing as distinct from literary writing (which attempts
to induce various types of pleasure) and polemical
writing (which attempts to persuade by any means
available). Analytical writing is always engaged in
making arguments (persuading).

How to Write an Analytical Essay?

Writing an essay is all about
organizing your thoughts. It requires
you to draw your own conclusions
and support them. Here's how to do
it.

Steps
1.

Choose a topic and narrow it down to a manageable theme. If

you're writing this essay for school, your topic was probably
already chosen for you. If it's up to you to select the theme, try to
come up with something you find interesting - it's easier to write
an essay when the theme doesn't bore you to tears.

2. Develop an argument. An analytical essay is about analyzing the

information and coming up with a argument to support your
conclusions. For example;
If you're writing about scientific research or findings, follow the
scientific method to analyze your results.

3. Spend time analyzing your material point-by-point. Go over your

source material for the essay, and note what supports your
argument and what detracts from it. Keep these notes handy so
that you can find direct quotes when you're writing.
Collect already-available sources and evidences. The sources and
known evidence should be verifiable and relevant to the topic.
If your sources don't provide enough information, you can conduct
an experiment, do some research, or execute a comparison to gain
answers or information that cannot be provided by the all-set sources
and evidences.

4. Start writing your essay. Use the guide provided below:

In the first paragraph, begin with a broad statement relevant to your topic. With each
sentence, get more and more specific until the last line, where you state your thesis.
Plot out what you want to write. Each main sub-topic will be included in the paragraphs
following your introduction.
Write a topic sentence (main idea) for each paragraph. Then explain your main idea with
details, facts, examples, and other supporting evidence; maybe throw in a quote that will
help to explain it in better detail.
Back up your ideas with examples. If you're writing a descriptive essay, consider a
personal example. Otherwise, find an objective example to support your analysis.
Follow these procedures for each paragraph that you need to write.
State your conclusion in the last paragraph. Restate your main point and leave the
readers thinking. Make your conclusion brief and to the point that anyone could read.
Include no new information in your conclusion.

5. Cite your sources. Find out which citation style the assignment
requires. MLA, APA, and Chicago Manual of Style are common
formats.

6. Proofread your essay. Ideally, you'd let your finished essay sit for a
day or two before coming back and proofreading. If you don't have
that kind of time, though, don't worry - your essay will still benefit
from a look-over if you're lucky. Read each sentence aloud like, and
notice where you stumble over the wording or punctuation. Make
notes and modify accordingly.

If you can, have someone else proof your essay. A fresh pair of ears
can lend you new insight, and a hand or two.

Tips
Don't try to add useless sentences to make an analytical essay longer;
it is better to leave it short and to the point. Make each sentence
count.
Beginnings and endings of paragraphs and sentences are good places
to use quotes, metaphors, and repetition, for effect, because
introductions and conclusions should not have any details or in-depth
analysis; that is what your body paragraphs are there for.
If you are writing a formal analysis or critique, then avoid using
colloquial writing. Though informal language may bring some color to
a paper, you do not want to risk weakening your argument by
influencing it with verbal slang.

What is Descriptive writing?

A descriptive essay simply
describes something or someone
by appealing to the readers
senses: sight, sound, touch, smell
and taste. Here are the basic
steps to writing an effective
descriptive essay.

How to Write a Descriptive Essay?

Writing an essay is all about organizing
your thoughts. It requires you to draw
your own conclusions and support
them. Here's how to do it.

Structuring a Descriptive Essay

1. Select a subject
Observation is the key to writing a good description. For example, if
you are writing about a place, go there and take notes on the sights,
sounds, and smells.
A descriptive essay paints a picture for the reader, using descriptive
devices and the senses.
Create a thesis statement that informs the reader who or what you
are describing. Examples: The wooden roller coaster in Coney Island
is a work of art. My bedroom is an ocean sanctuary.

2. Select dominant details

Select only the details that
support the dominant
impression (your thesis
statement).

3. Organize details
The paragraphs in a descriptive essay
can be structured spatially (from top to
bottom or from near to far) or
chronologically (time order) or from
general to specific. Descriptive essays
can also use other patterns of
organization such as narrative or
exemplification.

4. Use descriptive words

Do not use vague words or generalities (such as good, nice, bad, or beautiful). Be
specific and use sensory, descriptive words (adjectives). For example:
I ate a good dinner. OR I devoured a steaming hot, cheese-filled pepperoni pizza
for dinner.

Provide sensory details:

Smells that are in the air (the aroma of freshly brewed coffee)
Sounds (traffic, honking horns)
Sights (The sun scattered tiny diamonds across dew-covered grass as it peeked
out from beyond the
horizon.)
Touch (The texture of the adobe huts walls resembled coarse sandpaper.)
Taste: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, tart (Giant goose bumps formed on my tongue
when I accidently bit into a sliver of lemon.)

5. Draw a logical conclusion

The conclusion may also use
descriptive words; however, make
certain the conclusion is logical and
relevant.
Create images for the reader!

Thanks