Saturday, September 3, 2011
Descriptive and Prescriptive Claims
Descriptive and prescriptive claims can be a little hard to understand especially when someone takes a stand on a certain situation. A descriptive claim is a way to tell how something is, to describe it. A prescriptive claim is a way to tell how something should be, to prescribe it. An example of a descriptive claim would be if Jan told Sally that she thought drinking and driving was negligent. Since Jan told Sally that the action of drinking and driving is negligent, it implies that it is wrong. If Jan were to say no one should drink and drive, it would be prescriptive. It still implies it's not a good choice, but this way it is something that should not be done, it's prescribed. I found this interesting because they are two different ways to show the way you feel about a certain things. With descriptive claims it can sometimes come off harsh to just put out a thought or feeling in such a general way. With prescriptive claims I feel that it's a better way to take a stand on a certain subject because you are saying the way something should be instead of just saying how it is.
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I enjoyed the way which you defined each term using their own word in the definition. I often like viewing definitions which use a root of the word in the definition because it really describes the terms. I also liked your examples of both terms. They are right on point and very easy to comprehend. Furthermore, I thoroughly enjoyed that you put your own opinion in your post at the end. Saying which claim you personally prefer using was a nice little ending and I agree that prescriptive claims are a better way to take a stand on a certain situation.
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ReplyDeleteAfter reading your description of descriptive and prescriptive claims, I fully understand their job within communication. Although your explanation was very short, it helped in understanding the difference between both concepts. Your examples were very helpful in learning and applying each claim in different real-life situations. I agree with you when you said that descriptive claims come off as "harsh" which is absolutely true. I feel like descriptive claims are "suggestive" and prescriptive claims are "bossy.” Overall, you did a very good job in providing descriptions and examples. Your points helped me in understanding both claims much better.Thanks for writing!
ReplyDeleteYour example of descriptive and prescriptive claims is a perfect example that many college students would be able to understand. It places a different tone and interpretation of the seriousness of how drinking and driving is. This is very important to know when communicating to others. If they are hard-headed and stubborn, the descriptive approach would be most efficient, while the prescriptive approach may be well of the good-listener. Prescriptive claims are direct does not beat-around-the-bush, where as descritive claims will be lengthy and imply the actual message. When I look at the words, its like a doctor can diagnose your illness and describe daily routine to get well (like drink water and rest) or the doctor can prescribe medicine and the symptoms will be relieved.
ReplyDeleteI understand your example of "Jan told Sally that she thought drinking and driving was negligent" to be a normative claim, not a descriptive one, or am I confused?
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