Essay on Descriptive vs Narrative

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DESCRIPTIVE VS. NARRATIVE:

WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

DIANA YOUNG

ENG121: ENGLISH COMPOSITION I

PROFESSOR GARTEN

MAY 25, 2014

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DESCRIPTIVE VS. NARRATIVE : WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

Descriptive and narrative writing are both two different styles of personal writing that are used to enhance a writer's portfolio. When looking at descriptive writing, a person is using words that describe a person, place, thing, or event to paint a vivid picture to their audience. Narrative writing is when a person is telling a story from the point of view of the narrator. However, there are times when these two writing forms overlap (Connell & Sole, 2011). In this comparison and contrast essay first the two forms of writing similarities will be examined. Then, the essay will go into how these two forms of writing differ. Finally, the essay will conclude with how descriptive writing is more effective than narrative writing when it comes down to reaching the audience by making them feel like they are a part of the story.

When comparing the two writing patterns the first thing to look at is the point that the author is trying to make. Both writing styles paint pictures for the particular readers of the articles. The writer of both writing patterns idea is to intrigue and entertain their audience. When using both narrative and descriptive writing forms specific and enticing words are used to engage the mind of the reader. For instance in the essay "I Want a Wife" the author uses specific descriptions about what type of wife she would want, and in "Homeless" the author uses description to explain what is happening, what the woman looks like, and what is in the writer's mind. "I Want a Wife" and "Homeless" both are stories but there is a significant difference in how each story or article is presented to its audience.

When looking specifically at narrative writing the main point is to tell a story, like for instance when Judy Brady states, "I belong to that classification of people known as wives. I am A Wife. And, not altogether incidentally, I am a mother (Brady, 1971)." Brady is clearly starting her writing off by telling a story. There must also be an order to narrative writings that makes sense to it reader such as having a rising action, climax, falling action, and conclusion (Connell & Sole, 2011). A narrative writing must have a strong story plot for the reader to stay in tune to what is trying to be portrayed. The author of "I Want a Wife" begins to describe the type of wife she would want if she had a wife, she begins to lay out a story plot, which in turn seems to be as if she is saying men are looking for perfection when they are looking for their spouses (Brady, 1971).

Looking deeper into "I Want a Wife" there a few major discoveries in this essay. One of the major discoveries is the essay came about because Brady's friend was divorced and looking for a wife. Another major discovery is that Brady is a woman and a wife. Lastly, are the intricate details Brady uses to imply men want their wives to be pure and simple perfection (Brady, 1971). A common form of reading that comes into mind when thinking about narrative writing is autobiographies. When reading an autobiography it is as if you are watching a movie of someone's life.

On the other hand, descriptive writings are about painting a very clear picture for the audience to see. When thinking about descriptive writings it like being able to visualize the words that are write on the page. A good example of descriptive writing is a common saying those words seems to jump right off the page. When thinking about descriptive writing it is not like reading a book that seems like you are watching a movie but it is more like reading a book that makes you feel a part of the movie. Descriptive writing can be used if you are writing a narrative paper but it also can be used if you are righting a

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