Download Example 2 of descriptive and critical writing and more Assignments Law in PDF only on Docsity! The exerpts from the essay below illustrate how descriptive and critical writing fit together in academic writing. The essay task is: In the last 20 years, rates of divorce have risen significantly in Western countries. Critically analyse some of the different explanations given for this phenomenon. Essay Feature A major change that has occurred in Western countries is an increased incidence of divorce. Whereas in the past divorce was a relatively rare occurrence, in recent times it has become quite commonplace. An important issue for sociologists, and indeed for all society, is why these changes in marital patterns have occurred. Two possible explanations for the divorce phenomenon are changes to divorce laws and broader socio-economic change. This essay will critically analyse these explanations and the impact each has had on the divorce rate in Europe, the United States and Australia. While legal changes have contributed to increased divorce rates, the major contributing factors are most likely changes to social and economic behaviour within society. Defines the problem Identifies the key arguments Identifies the task Identifies and refines the thesis One type of explanation for rising divorce has focused on changes in laws relating to marriage. For example, Bilton, Bonnett and Jones (2007) argue that increased rates of divorce do not necessarily indicate that families are now more unstable. It is possible, they claim, that there has always been a degree of marital instability. They suggest that changes in the law have been significant, because they have provided unhappily married couples with “access to a legal solution to pre-existent marital problems” (p. 301). Like Bilton et al. (2007), Madden (2013) also Uses description to outline the argument from Bilton, Bonnett and Jones Analyses the argument Example 2 of descriptive and critical writing ACAP Student Learning Support. ACAP is a college of the Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd. National CRICOS Code: 01328A. RTO Code: 0500. Page 1/2
