Check Your Writing's Analytical Level
Paste a paragraph or section to see which writing signals it shows — the kind that separate 2:2-level description from 2:1/First-level analysis.
The single biggest gap between 2:2-level and 2:1-level essays is rarely subject knowledge — it's usually the difference between describing what a source says and evaluating what it means. This tool scans your paragraph for the specific language signals associated with each, so you can see, sentence by sentence, whether your writing leans descriptive or analytical.
How to Use This Checker
- Paste a full paragraph, not a single sentence, so the tool has enough language to assess.
- Read the specific signals flagged, not just the overall score — these point to exactly what to add or reduce.
- Treat the result as a starting signal, not a grade — this checks language patterns only, not the accuracy or depth of your argument.
Descriptive vs Analytical Writing
Descriptive writing states what is: what a theory says, what happened, what a source found. Analytical writing goes a step further and asks what it means: why it matters, how it compares to other evidence, what its limitations are. Our guide on the UK university grading system explains this distinction in the context of formal marking criteria in more detail.
Comparison at a Glance
| Descriptive (2:2-level) pattern | Analytical (2:1/First-level) pattern |
|---|---|
| "Firstly, X happened. Secondly, Y happened." | "X happened; however, this does not fully explain Y." |
| States a theory without evaluating it | Evaluates a theory's strengths and limitations |
| Summarises one source at a time | Compares and synthesises multiple sources |
| Few or no citations supporting claims | Claims consistently backed by cited evidence |
How to Upgrade a Descriptive Paragraph
- After stating a fact, ask "so what?" and add a sentence explaining its significance or implication.
- Bring in a second source or perspective to compare against the first, rather than presenting sources one at a time in isolation.
- Add a connective that signals evaluation — "however," "this suggests," "by contrast" — where your writing is currently just listing points.
- Support claims with citations, since evidence-backed claims are a core marker of higher-band writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this an official grade predictor?
No. It is an indicative self-check based on common language patterns associated with descriptive versus analytical writing, not a marking tool, and it cannot assess subject accuracy, argument validity, or referencing quality.
My paragraph has citations but still scored as descriptive — why?
Citations alone don't guarantee analysis; you can accurately cite a source while only summarising it. The tool also checks for evaluative connectives and comparison language, since analysis typically involves both citing evidence and explaining what it means.
Should every sentence use analytical connectives?
No — some description is necessary to establish context before you analyse it. The goal is a healthy balance, with analysis clearly present rather than description standing alone for an entire paragraph or essay.