By AssignmentHelpKit Editorial Team, reviewed by subject experts · · 6 min read
"Too descriptive" and "needs more critical analysis" are the most common feedback comments at university, especially for international students. The fix is simpler than it sounds.
Description vs analysis
| Descriptive writing says... | Critical writing says... |
|---|---|
| What happened | Why it happened and why it matters |
| What a source says | How strong the evidence is |
| What a theory is | How well it explains your case |
| Lists points one after another | Compares, weighs and connects them |
| Reports other people's views | Uses them to support your own argument |
You need some description for context, but it should be the smallest part of each paragraph.
A 3-step method: What, So what, Now what
- What? State the point or evidence briefly.
- So what? Explain what it shows, how reliable it is and how it relates to the question.
- Now what? Link it to your argument or compare it with another source.
Descriptive: Smith (2021) found that 60% of employees preferred hybrid work.
Critical: Smith (2021) found that 60% of employees preferred hybrid work, but the sample was drawn only from technology firms, where remote tasks are common. Lee's (2022) wider survey found lower support in manufacturing, which suggests preferences depend on the type of work rather than on hybrid work itself.
Questions to ask about every source
- Who wrote it, and could they be biased?
- How big and representative was the sample?
- Is it recent enough?
- Do other studies agree or disagree?
- Does it apply to your country, sector or case?
Sentence starters for critical writing
- "However, this finding is limited by..."
- "This supports the argument that..., although..."
- "In contrast, Lee (2022) argues..."
- "A more convincing explanation is..."
- "This suggests that..., which is significant because..."
- "Taken together, these studies indicate..."
Using models and frameworks critically
When you apply SWOT, PESTLE, Gibbs or any other model, don't just fill in the boxes. Say which factors matter most, why, and what the model can't show.
This one change is usually what moves work from a 2:2 to a 2:1, or from a Credit to a Distinction. See how to get a First for the next step, and our help for international students if academic writing in English is new to you.