Differences Between Research Paper and Creative Writing

Differences Between a Research Paper and Creative Writing

            Research papers and creative writing papers are both pieces of literature that are very unique and contain a number of similarities. They both contain an opening, middle and closing that are informative and bring the reader onto a 2-5 minute journey. Necessary background information is needed before anyone writes either one in order to gain familiarity on the topic and whether it is outside sources or other people contributing to the creative paper, different perspectives are key in order to enhance and develop the main topic. Although there are many other similarities between research and creative writing papers, there are also many differences between them that make each other stand out from purpose, tone, and audience.

            Research and creative writing papers are both exist to tell a story, but why they are written is different. Research papers exist because the author wants to inform the audience on a specific topic. His or her goal, is to educate and make sure their point is able to get across without confusion. They may be simply writing an objective paper, or they are writing to either support or counteract an argument. The author of a creative writing piece’s goal is entertain or to express thoughts, feelings and emotions rather than to convey information.  The purpose of each kind of paper has an immense influence on the tone of the author. For research papers, the author is very informative and they are often objective, but sometimes there is some subjectivity, so that the author contributes their feelings. The way a research paper is written is very structured and organized. Before the paper is even written the author must put all of their ideas onto a paper and then piece together where everything goes. The audience should know what and where points a, b and c are and should easily be convinced by the evidence that supports them. On the other hand the tone of a creative paper is very subjective, but it also requires focus on communication. The genre often determines the tone; thrillers use tight, lean phrasing, romances tend to be more effusive and expressive, comedies more buoyant, and so on. Unlike researchers, creative writers have the personal freedom to write about anything they want. They can write about fact or fiction, it doesn’t matter, just as long as the paper makes sense and is able to take the reader onto an entertaining ride. Because there is already a predetermined purpose in the paper, there is also a predetermined audience. In research papers, the author is trying to convince a specific audience. Whether the audience is for a certain gender, race, class, or any other organization of people it is solely meant for them. The author’s main point is reflective on who he or she is trying to convince. A creative author’s audience is universal. Anyone can read their fictional story or their thoughts or feelings. The author wants everyone to read what they have to write about. There could be a specific audience in mind, but even if you are not in that group, anyone can still read it. There is no confusion in the audience when they read creative pieces.

            Research papers and creative papers are both have very interesting context and have similarities in the way they are written, but the purpose, tone, and audience are different. Differences between these two kinds of paper make the reader prepare themselves in different ways, but each have their own rhetoric and content styles that makes each one unique and worth the read.