Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

Which type of writing is characterized by the use of metaphors and vivid details?

1. Expository

2. Narrative

3. Descriptive

4. Persuasive

The correct answer is: Descriptive

The characterization of writing that uses metaphors and vivid details is indicative of descriptive writing. This genre focuses on painting a picture with words, allowing readers to visualize scenes, experience emotions, and connect with sensory details in a profound way. By employing metaphors, the writer can draw creative comparisons that enhance the imagery, making the text more engaging and immersive for the audience. In contrast, expository writing aims to inform or explain rather than evoke imagery. Narrative writing tells a story, which may include descriptive elements, but its primary goal is to advance a plot. Persuasive writing seeks to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint or action, typically relying on logical argumentation and emotional appeals rather than rich imagery. Thus, the distinct features of descriptive writing, particularly the emphasis on sensory experience and figurative language, define it uniquely in this context.