The document discusses the key differences between narrative and descriptive writing. It notes that narrative writing tells a story about events using techniques like chronological order, dialogue, and flashbacks, while descriptive writing creates a vivid picture without time elements using sensory details and figurative language. Both use an introduction with a thesis and conclusion, but narrative writing employs a first person point of view while descriptive writing uses third person. Paragraph structure and conclusions also differ between the two forms.

1. Narrative & Descriptive Writing
The most common types of writing assignments students encounter in
composition classes are exposition, argument, narration and description. While
all these modes allow a writer to explain an idea or event, they differ in the
specific intent. A narrative tells a story about an event, while description
creates a picture of a person, place, thing or event for the reader.
A narrative often reflects your personal experience, explaining what happened
during some sort of experience. Stories are narrative, and narrative essays
have a similar purpose of telling the events to a reader. Narrative essay topics
include recounting an experience where you learned something significant,
your first day at school, your first job interview, a frightening encounter, an
experience that changed your life and two differing versions of the same event.
Narration is not always a personal experience, though; a book report is
narrative since it typically spells out the plot of the book or story.
Description uses sensory detail (sights, sounds, tactile sensations, tastes and
smells) to describe a scene, person or feeling to a reader. As you describe, you
create a three-dimensional picture so your reader can experience the item,
place, person or emotion along with the reading. Descriptive essay topics
include your favorite place, your bedroom, your best friend, the most unusual
object you own, an art exhibit, the best or worst teacher you ever had, your
ideal job or dream home.
Narration often employs first person point of view, using words like "I" and
"me," while other modes including description do not. The biggest difference
between the two is that a narrative essay includes action, but the descriptive
essay does not. Narration follows a logical order, typically chronological. In
contrast, description typically contains no time elements, so organize
descriptive essays by some other reasonable means, such as how you
physically move around in a space or with a paragraph for each of the senses
you use to describe.

2. Techniques of Descriptive Writing
Let’s talk about the techniques and tricks of descriptive writing:
 In descriptive piece of writing or essays, we use illustrative organization to
develop the logical picture of the specific subject.
 Use of directional signal words assist readers to create the images in their
mind. In case, you are writing something abstract then you can utilize
figurative language. It will make your writing unique and interesting for the
reader.
 Use of similes and metaphors facilitate readers to imagine the situation in their
mind easily.
 You can also use sound devices in your writing for a vivid idea.
Techniques of Narrative Writing
Let’s have a look on some of the techniques used by writers in narrative
writing:
 In narrative writing, time and chronological order is usually used to highlight
any event.
 Authors generally use sequence signal words to make a reader understand
the story.
 Use of flashback technique is very common in narrative writing. This
technique is used to jump through on any event any time.
 Use of dialogue is very common in narrative writing that helps the reader to
get idea about actions and characters personality.
 Lastly, narrative writing includes complete information. In short, author needs
to highlight something logical.

3. Similarities Between Descriptive and Narrative
Writing
 If we talk about similarities between descriptive and narrative writing, then
they both follow the same essay format.
 In both descriptive and narrative writing, you have to start from an introductory
paragraph and ending will be took place with a proper conclusion.
 In the end of the introductory paragraph, you will place a thesis. In short, a
sentence explaining the purpose of your overall writing! You have to provide a
reason; need to explain why a specific incident, person, object and place are
important for you. Why did you write about it?
 Moreover, this thesis will also explain that you have learned something from
things, you are talking about.
 In both descriptive and narrative writing, make sure to add specific
information in the paragraphs to support your ideas.
[Related: Difference Between Autobiography and Narrative ]
Difference Between Descriptive and Narrative
Writing
Just like few similarities, descriptive and narrative writing has
difference too. Let’s talk about it below.
Introduction
In descriptive writing, the introduction is all about what the subject to be
discussed in your writing. The reader can easily guess what is going to be the
next. On the other hand, the narrative writing is based on suspense and writer

4. does not reveal the story all of a sudden. In order to end up the mystery, the
reader has to go through from the paper.
Point of View
Narrative writing is written with first person perspective. On the other hand,
descriptive writing has third person point of view in it. Moreover, descriptive
writing includes place, person and object. On the other hand, in narrative
writing, the writer talks about his/her personal experience.
Paragraph Structure
In narrative writing, you can write two sentences in one paragraph. However,
in descriptive one, you can write long paragraphs. The use of dialogues is
quite common in descriptive writing in comparison to narrative writing.
Conclusion
The ending part in narrative writing can be short and to the point. However, in
descriptive essay the conclusion portion can be long and detailed one.
Overall Technique and Structure
If we talk about descriptive writing or essay, then the events use to represent
in the chronological form. There is a time frame in it. The writer uses the time
feature to show different incidents to create a clear idea in reader’s mind. On
the other hand, in narrative writing, you are not bound to follow a strict time
frame to talk about any incident.