WEEK 9

ANALYTICAL WRITING
Writing
Responses to essay questions tend to fall into TWO different categories:
1) Descriptive
2) Analytical
 What is Descriptive Writing?
Descriptive writing is expository and informative. It seeks to present the facts or details to the
reader, but not interpret their meaning.

1.Expository and Informative: Descriptive writing falls under the category of expository writing, which
is intended to explain or inform. It is used to inform, clarify, explain, or define. In descriptive writing, the
writer provides details, but the focus is not on the interpretation of those details.
2.Presents Facts or Details: Descriptive writing presents facts or details to the reader. These facts or
details are concrete and observable. They are meant to paint a picture or create an image in the reader's
mind.
3.Does Not Interpret Their Meaning: Descriptive writing does not interpret the meaning of the facts or
details provided. It simply presents them to the reader. The reader is left to draw their own conclusions or
interpretations.
 ◦ In other words, descriptive writing states
‘who’, ‘what’, ‘where’ - but does not evaluate the
‘why’, ‘how’, or ‘so what?’
The defining characteristics of
Descriptive Writing are…
• States facts or recounts events
• Gives an overview of a particular topic
• Observes and reports the characteristics of a person, place, thing, or
phenomenon
• Explains a theory or idea
• States the ‘what’, ‘who’, or ‘where’- but not the ‘why’, ‘how’, or
‘so what’
What is Analytical Writing?
Analytical writing is evaluative and critical. It seeks to go beyond the descriptive presentation of facts or
details to the reader, and instead evaluates and investigates their significance.

In other words, analytical writing demonstrates the ‘why’, ‘how’, and ‘so what’, interpreting the
significance and meaning of the ‘who’, ‘what’, and ‘where’.
The defining characteristics of
Analytical Writing are…
• Engages with and applies theoretical concepts
• Evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of ideas
• Unpacks the significance of evidence
• Synthesizes and engages with sources to support and create an overall
argument
• Answers ‘why’, ‘how’, or ‘so what’ - goes beyond the ‘who’, ‘what’, and
‘where’
 Analytical vs Descriptive Writing
Who

+
What
So what?
When
Where
Why

Descriptive writing Reports

Analytical writing
Discusses impact
 Simple Examples:
D: The leaves of the trees have changed from green to
yellow.
A: The autumn of the year is approaching.

D: There is the aroma of food in the air.

A: It may be close to lunchtime.

D: Students appear distracted in class.

A: There may be a Calculus exam in the next session.
Group Activity!
(identify whether the sentence is descriptive or analytical.)
Differentiating Between Descriptive and Analytical Writing
1.The sky was clear blue, and the sun was shining brightly.
2.The author uses metaphors to convey deeper meanings in the poem.
3.The old, abandoned house stood at the end of the street.
4.By examining historical data, we can understand the economic factors that led to the Great Depression.
5.The coffee was hot, with a rich, bold flavor.
6.The study concludes that there is a correlation between exercise and mental health.
7.The bustling city streets were filled with people rushing to work.
8.Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to create tension in the play.
1.The sky was clear blue, and the sun was shining brightly. (Descriptive)
2.The author uses metaphors to convey deeper meanings in the poem.
(Analytical)
3.The old, abandoned house stood at the end of the street. (Descriptive)
4.By examining historical data, we can understand the economic factors that
led to the Great Depression. (Analytical)
5.The coffee was hot, with a rich, bold flavor. (Descriptive)
6.The study concludes that there is a correlation between exercise and mental
health. (Analytical)
7.The bustling city streets were filled with people rushing to work.
(Descriptive)
8.Shakespeare uses foreshadowing to create tension in the play. (Analytical)
What do these words mean?
Describe:
● Describe the best birthday present you’ve ever received in
ONE paragraph!
Describe
● Look CLOSELY at the words you used to DESCRIBE your birthday
present.
○ What kinds of words did you mostly use? (For example - nouns,
adjectives, etc)
○ Did you go beyond a description or did you also explain other
things? Why or why not?
Describe
● Descriptive writing only TELLS us about something
○ Usually has a LOT of details
○ Usually uses a LOT of adjectives or adverbs
○ Doesn’t create new understandings or explain new information
○ Most importantly: DOES NOT ANALYZE!
So what’s the difference?
Example 1:

“I fell and hit my knee today.”

● This just describes the events of the day.

“I fell and hit my knee today; this is significant because I

just had knee surgery.”
● This describes the events. It also explains and
identifies the significance!
So what’s the difference?
Example 2:
“Andrew Jackson was a supporter of the idea of Manifest
Destiny”
● This is a fact - but is pretty unsupported. It describes
an opinion or belief of a prior president!
“Andrew Jackson was a supporter of the idea of Manifest
Destiny. Evidence for this includes his work to pass the Indian
Removal Act - which allowed more citizens to explore and settle
new lands for the United States of America.”
● This describes the beliefs - but provides evidence for
WHY! It makes a reasoned judgement.
Change your work!
Take that paragraph you wrote describing your favorite birthday
present & make it analytical!

You can do this by:

● Identifying the significance of it
● Comparing it to other birthday presents you’ve received
● Use the chart to help you further!
Do you know the event called “Oscar”?
If you have watched one, can you share
interesting moment?
https://youtu.be/my
jEoDypUD8?si=u2z
9q0dVqdOc3sNk
Ss watch the video and then search the internet to know what where the
consequence for both sides.
One student look for information about Will smith and second one is Chris
Rock. After that pair share collected information with each other. Then
write analytical writing individually.
Workshop 1 The Butter Battle Book

Write a descriptive essay about the Butter Battle Book.

Your essay should be a minimum of 300 words.
Workshop 2 The Butter Battle Book

Write a 500-word analytical essay about the Butter Battle

Book from the perspective of:
• A Syrian refugee
• A government concerned with a belligerent neighbor
• A weapons manufacturer
• A UN negotiator
Descriptive Writing
Writing Descriptive Paragraphs
Imagine you are standing on a beach.
Write a descriptive paragraph (150-200 words) about the scene, focusing on using sensory details such as
sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
Analytical Writing
Read the following excerpt and write an analytical paragraph (150-200 words) in response.

Focus on analyzing the author's use of literary devices to convey the theme.

Excerpt: "The old man and the sea" by Ernest Hemingway

"He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four
days now without taking a fish."
Unit 9 Talented People
1.What does it mean to be talented?
2.Do you think everyone has a talent? Why or why not?
3.Can talent be learned, or is it something you're born with?
4.How can someone discover their talent?
5.Do talented people have a responsibility to use their talent for the greater good?
6.Can hard work make up for a lack of natural talent?
7.How can we support and nurture talent in others?
8.Should we compare our talents with others, or is it better to focus on personal growth?
9.What are some common misconceptions about talented people?
10.Can talent be a burden? Why or why not?