How does descriptive writing differ from informative writing?

• A. Descriptive writing emphasizes sensory detail; informative writing explains facts and concepts.
• B. Descriptive writing uses more data charts.
• C. Informative writing focuses mainly on fiction storytelling.
• D. Descriptive writing is always longer than informative writing.

Answer: (A)

Descriptive writing relies on sensory detail to paint a vivid picture, while informative writing aims to explain facts and concepts in a clear, organized way. Descriptive passages invite readers to experience a scene through what is seen, heard, smelled, touched, and tasted. Informative writing presents facts, definitions, explanations, and sometimes steps or data to help someone understand how something works or why it matters.

That distinction is why this option is best: describing sensory experience versus explaining information captures the fundamental difference between the two styles. The other choices don’t define the difference: using data charts isn’t essential to descriptive writing, informative writing is not primarily about fiction, and descriptive writing isn’t inherently longer than informative writing.