How Research Papers and Creative Writing Differ
Research and creative writing differ in multiple ways. They
mainly differ in the structure in which they are written, the content they
contain and the purpose for which they are read. While theses types of writings
have multiple similarities this blog will focus on the differences.
Research papers are formatted in a way that state the thesis
and provides multiple supporting facts of the thesis. Throughout a research
paper the author argues to defend and prove the thesis is correct. On the
contrary, creative writing projects are formatted more like a story or an essay.
Creative writing projects often have an intro in which the author introduces
you to the characters. As you continue to read the author provides the reader
with rising action that leads to conflict, which is what the creative writing focuses.
The resolving of the conflict and what the characters learn impacts the message
you take away from a story. The message the reader takes away from the creative
writing is the most pivotal part.
Research papers content are strictly factual with little to
no input for the writer. The researcher
often provides history on the topic they are researching and new information.
The researcher provides the reader with a purpose in their thesis that explains
why it is crucial for them to read and know the information about their topic. Creative
writing projects involve characters, a plot, setting, conflict, dialogue, and a
theme. Creative writers express their thoughts, emotions and want to entertain
the reader. Creative writing is usual fiction with real ties to reality, while
research papers are nonfiction that revolves are real world events.
In a research paper the ultimate goal is to prove the thesis
while in creative writing the purpose is to entertain the reader. Research papers are read for one to become
move informed about a topic and learn new information. The author must focus on
the information and provide in a way that is easy to understand. Their goal
should be for the reader to leave with a good understanding of their topic and
be able to explain the topic to someone else. Creative writing project are
solely meant to entertain the reader. While the writer might use creative
writing as an outlet and to express one’s feelings the ultimate goal is to
write something enjoyable for the reader. The author of creative writing also
must focus on the theme of their work. The theme and the message are what the
reader take away form the story. What the reader learns through the author’s
characters could greatly impact one’s life. Books often teach individuals
morals, values, and life lessons.
Creative and research writing differ in which the way they
are written, the content they provide and the purpose in which they are read.
While they differ in many aspects the authors share a common goal in that what
the reader take away from their writing is the most crucial part. The writers
want the reader to learn new information, be entertain, and overall have a
basic appreciation for their work.
I completely agree with all of the points you have said in this analysis of the two major assignments we have done in this class. You emphasized the key differences such as the storytelling assignment was a creative form of writing and how the research paper was very direct and involve little artistic input from the writer. I also agree with your statement about the main goals of these types of text. I think it is a personal choice on which someone prefers because the choice is really subjective. I also believe that the main difference is content, because the content in a research paper is so diverse from that of say, a short story.
ReplyDeleteI agree with basically everything you mentioned about the differences between a research paper and creative writing piece. You rarely, if ever, see characters in a research paper. In creative writing, on the other hand, characters are a pivotal aspect of the story. Without characters, it’s impossible to tell a story. Another point brought up in your post is how research papers are nonfiction. This has to be true because the paper has to be based on factual evidence. Creative writing is usually fictional in order to entertain the reader. There’s not a specific desire to entertain when writing a research paper.
ReplyDeleteI really liked the final paragraph in your post. It is a perfect way to pull the two different types of writing together. You made a lot of strong points in your post. I think that when you are writing a research paper, the author of the paper does have an input. The author interprets the source he is analyzing in a different way than someone else might. Though the author’s final goal is to provide the reader with a better understanding of a topic, there is still room for an author’s input. Their input is slyly incorporated into the analysis. The purpose of creative writing strongly differs from research papers, so authors can more easily input their ideas in creative writing.
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