Descriptive vs.

Critical Writing (adapted from University of Exeter)

While all essays have some descriptive writing, it’s all-too-easy to lose focus and write an almost entirely
descriptive essay. Below, you’ll find some common problems, with models for making the writing more
critical/analytical. Remember, not all of these will be relevant to your analysis/subject! Do what makes
sense for YOUR essay. These are also very short examples--you will often extend your analysis over
several paragraphs, using a combination of descriptive writing followed by a critique or analysis.

Descriptive Writing Critical Writing Examples

Narrates what happens/ Identifies the significance of
happened. what happens/happened and
explains why it is relevant to the
RQ.
Descriptive
In 1933, Hitler used the Reichstag
Fire as a pretext to seize emergency
power and push a law called the
Enabling Act through parliament.

Analytical/Critical
Using the Reichstag Fire as a
pretext to seize power allowed Hitler
to push through the Enabling Act
and enact legislation without
parliamentary consent. This
simultaneously gave him both
unlimited power and removed any
opposition.

States what something is like Evaluates the

strengths/weaknesses, or
significant points, as related to
the RQ

Describes methodology States why methodology is

appropriate for the study.

States the different parts of a Compares/contrasts the most

process or situation significant aspects of a
process, as related to the RQ

Gives information Weighs the value of various

pieces of information, showing
the links or disagreements.

Explains a theory Demonstrates the theory’s Descriptive:

relevance to the topic/RQ. May
or may not contrast with other
theories.
Mulvey’s “male gaze” theory states
women in film are viewed through a
heterosexual male perspective, and
represented as passive objects of
male desire.

Critical:
Using Malvey’s “male gaze” theory
to critique Aladdin and The Little
Mermaid, quickly demonstrates
Disney’s sexualization of Jasmine
and Ariel, despite their superficial
attempts to make them independent,
proactive young women.

Explains how something works Indicates why it works, how it’s

relevant to the analysis, or the
implications of how it works.
 Evaluates whether it works well
or not

Explains when something Explains why the timing is Descriptive:

happened significant to the discussion/RQ Churchill gave his “We shall fight on
the beaches speech” to Parliament
on June 4, 1940.

Critical:
When analyzing the language of
Churchill’s speech in the House of
Commons, context is everything.
The date was shortly after the Battle
of Dunkirk and Britain's devastating
retreat from Normandy. Churchill
desperately needed to encourage
the British public and convince the
United States to enter the war.

Describes options Evaluates and compares options,

indicating which are preferable
and why.

Lists details Evaluates the relative

significance of the details.

Describes viewpoint or opinion Justifies or critiques the opinion,

using evidence to substantiate.

Writes a summative conclusion Links the conclusion to a bigger

world or idea--answers “so
what?”