Examine the requirements of descriptive writing
You are likely to include descriptive writing in most assignments. In some ways it is the writing style that comes most naturally, because we are used to describing things in everyday life. On the other hand, in academic writing it is easy to give too much detail and to forget the underlying reason for giving the description.
When you are asked to describe anything in your academic work, there will usually be a particular purpose in doing so.
When you are asked to describe anything in your academic work, there will usually be a particular purpose in doing so. Select the arrow below to see examples.
Consider the checklist, which indicates what you may be required to do in a piece of descriptive writing. Select ‘Tips’ to learn how you can gain higher marks in your descriptive writing.
When you include descriptive writing, your purpose in doing so must be clear. You will gain marks by:
- Identifying relevant themes to include
- Identifying the most relevant facts in what you include
- Showing clarity, precision and accuracy
- Presenting items in the best order
- Keeping to the point
- Indicating the significance of what you describe
Are there areas of descriptive writing where you feel you lose marks? How do you think you can improve on these?
Examine the requirements of descriptive writing
You are likely to include descriptive writing in most assignments. In some ways it is the writing style that comes most naturally, because we are used to describing things in everyday life. On the other hand, in academic writing it is easy to give too much detail and to forget the underlying reason for giving the description.
When you are asked to describe anything in your academic work, there will usually be a particular purpose in doing so. For example, you may be asked to:
- Describe the precise methods used in an experiment
- Describe essential background information that you will analyse in detail later
- Describe main features or functions
- Describe what happened, giving an overview of significant events
- Describe the results of your research or of an experiment
- Summarise the key points of a theory or the contents of a book or article
When you include descriptive writing, your purpose in doing so must be clear. You will gain marks by:
- Identifying relevant themes to include
- Identifying the most relevant facts in what you include
- Showing clarity, precision and accuracy
- Presenting items in the best order
- Keeping to the point
- Indicating the significance of what you describe
Descriptive writing can vary depending on the subject. Look carefully at journal articles and other examples from your subject area to find the style you are expected to produce.
My journal
Are there areas of descriptive writing where you feel you lose marks? How do you think you can improve on these?