Difference between describing and explaining?
I'm writing an essay right now and I seem to have trouble understanding what to write because some prompts ask me to describe and others ask me to explain. Can you guys help tell me how I should write an essay when it says to describe something?
For example, one prompt says Describe Socrates' idea, and Thrasymacus' objection, and Socrates' response from Republic Book I (nevermind the name and what the prompt is asking etc). What should I do? For example is describing essentially listing everything that is in the argument in my own words? It wouldn't be summarizing because I'm including everything an not just the main points right? Or should I set it up where I don't say everything the author said in my own words, but rather I point out the argument as X says Y did this which caused Z etc.....
7 Comments • Newest first
To me,
Describe = General terms/idea
Explain= Breakdown + Analysis
Explaining is basically including inferences whereas describing isnt. This works for most cases
[quote=ProBlades]Describe=Define what something is.
Explain=Give a reason why something is the way it is.[/quote]
Ok. In case you already didn't know this is a philosophy class. So for example, when it asks to describe Socrates' idea (argument), that would essentially mean defining the argument which means listing the premises and conclusion right?
Sorry if it seems that i'm not getting this.I've obviously googled and thought about this. I wouldn't be asking this question if I knew the exact answer already.
Describe is about visual context or a definition.
Explain is about who, what, where, why, how, or a reason.
Describe=Define what something is.
Explain=Give a reason why something is the way it is.
o.o ...
Showing the structure of the argument would involve
details-> statements and actions made
and
explanations-> reasons for what they did
i think your paper is completely reliant on how you can interpret who; what; why...
then provide any new information about the behavior of humans or influence your reader 4ever
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maybe search an image of tree graphs.
something like that.
[quote=Anthorix]ok, i tried interpreting the google definitions...
Describe is for qualities like appearance and mood and wutever
Explain is for sequence of events; ideas about the qualities of something; things you can infer from the details that are described
maybe like...
ex.)
description: a hat is blue
explanation: someone dyed the hat, blue.[/quote]
So basically the X,Y,Z thing then right? I.e. X= the hat and Y= blue. Or X is Y. Essentially meaning "The hat" is "blue". So basically I should show what the structure of the argument is when writing my paper then?
ok, i tried interpreting the google definitions...
Describe is for qualities like appearance and mood and wutever
Explain is for sequence of events; ideas about the qualities of something; things you can infer from the details that are described
maybe like...
ex.)
description: a hat is blue
explanation: someone dyed the hat, blue.
ex.)
A man walked into a home.
A man walked into his home.
ex.)
There's a brand new dust proof car coating
Theres a brand new dust proof car coating that will make your car always looking new!