Descriptive Style Writing vs. Narrative Writing

Attribute	Descriptive Style Writing	Narrative Writing
Main Focus	Describing the details of a scene, object, or person	Telling a story with a plot, characters, and setting
Language Use	Emphasis on vivid and sensory language	Uses dialogue, action, and description to move the story forward
Purpose	To create a vivid picture in the reader's mind	To entertain, inform, or persuade the reader
Structure	Focuses on creating a sensory experience for the reader	Follows a chronological sequence of events
Point of View	Can be first-person or third-person	Usually told from a first-person or third-person perspective

Introduction

Descriptive style writing and narrative writing are two common forms of writing that serve different purposes and have distinct attributes. While both styles aim to engage the reader and convey a message, they do so in different ways. In this article, we will explore the key differences between descriptive style writing and narrative writing, as well as their unique characteristics and strengths.

Descriptive Style Writing

Descriptive style writing focuses on painting a vivid picture for the reader by using sensory details and descriptive language. This style of writing aims to create a clear and detailed image in the reader's mind, allowing them to visualize the scene or subject being described. Descriptive writing often appeals to the reader's senses, such as sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, in order to create a rich and immersive experience.

One of the key attributes of descriptive style writing is its attention to detail. Writers who use this style often carefully choose their words to create a specific mood or atmosphere. By using descriptive language, writers can evoke emotions and create a sense of place for the reader. Descriptive writing is often used in poetry, creative nonfiction, and descriptive essays to bring a scene or subject to life.

Another characteristic of descriptive style writing is its focus on imagery. Writers who use this style often rely on vivid imagery to convey their message and engage the reader. By using descriptive language and sensory details, writers can create a strong visual image that resonates with the reader. Descriptive writing is effective in capturing the reader's attention and immersing them in the world of the text.

Descriptive style writing is also known for its use of figurative language and literary devices. Writers often use metaphors, similes, and other literary devices to enhance their descriptions and create a more engaging reading experience. By using these techniques, writers can add depth and complexity to their writing, making it more compelling and memorable for the reader.

In summary, descriptive style writing focuses on creating a vivid and detailed picture for the reader through the use of sensory details, descriptive language, imagery, and literary devices. This style of writing aims to engage the reader's senses and emotions, allowing them to experience the scene or subject being described in a rich and immersive way.

Narrative Writing

Narrative writing, on the other hand, focuses on telling a story or recounting a series of events. This style of writing aims to engage the reader by presenting a sequence of events in a coherent and compelling manner. Narrative writing often includes characters, a plot, setting, conflict, and resolution, allowing the reader to follow along with the story and become invested in the outcome.

One of the key attributes of narrative writing is its focus on storytelling. Writers who use this style often structure their writing around a central narrative, with a beginning, middle, and end. By presenting events in a chronological order, writers can create a sense of progression and development that keeps the reader engaged and interested in the story.

Another characteristic of narrative writing is its use of dialogue. Writers often use dialogue to bring characters to life and advance the plot of the story. By including conversations between characters, writers can reveal personality traits, motivations, and conflicts, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. Dialogue is an effective tool in narrative writing for creating tension, developing relationships, and moving the story forward.

Narrative writing also often includes a narrator who guides the reader through the story. The narrator can be a character within the story or an omniscient voice that provides insight and commentary on the events unfolding. The narrator's perspective shapes the reader's understanding of the story and influences how they interpret the events and characters within it.

In summary, narrative writing focuses on telling a story or recounting a series of events in a coherent and compelling manner. This style of writing includes characters, a plot, setting, conflict, resolution, and often uses dialogue and a narrator to engage the reader and bring the story to life.

Comparison

While descriptive style writing and narrative writing have distinct attributes and purposes, they also share some similarities. Both styles aim to engage the reader and convey a message, albeit in different ways. Descriptive writing focuses on creating a vivid and detailed picture for the reader through sensory details and descriptive language, while narrative writing focuses on telling a story or recounting a series of events in a coherent and compelling manner.

One key difference between descriptive style writing and narrative writing is their primary focus. Descriptive writing is primarily concerned with creating a sensory experience for the reader, while narrative writing is focused on telling a story. Descriptive writing aims to immerse the reader in a scene or subject, using vivid imagery and descriptive language to evoke emotions and create a sense of place. Narrative writing, on the other hand, aims to engage the reader through a sequence of events that follow a logical progression and build towards a resolution.

Another difference between descriptive style writing and narrative writing is their use of literary devices. Descriptive writing often relies on figurative language and imagery to enhance the reader's experience, while narrative writing may use dialogue, characterization, and plot development to engage the reader. While both styles may use literary devices to create a more engaging reading experience, the types of devices and how they are used can vary between descriptive and narrative writing.

Despite these differences, descriptive style writing and narrative writing can complement each other and be used together in a single piece of writing. For example, a narrative story may include descriptive passages to create a vivid sense of place or to evoke a particular mood. Similarly, a descriptive essay may include elements of storytelling to engage the reader and provide context for the descriptions being presented. By combining elements of both styles, writers can create a more dynamic and engaging piece of writing that appeals to a wider audience.

In conclusion, descriptive style writing and narrative writing are two distinct styles of writing that serve different purposes and have unique attributes. Descriptive writing focuses on creating a vivid and detailed picture for the reader through sensory details, descriptive language, imagery, and literary devices. Narrative writing, on the other hand, focuses on telling a story or recounting a series of events in a coherent and compelling manner, using characters, plot, setting, conflict, resolution, dialogue, and a narrator to engage the reader. While these styles have their differences, they can also be used together to create a more dynamic and engaging piece of writing that appeals to a wider audience.