What is a Didactic?
Intended to teach or instruct.
The Teachings of Didactic Writing
Didactic writing, simply put, is writing that has the intention to teach or instruct. It's a method of conveying knowledge through literature and other forms of writing that goes beyond simple storytelling to provide the reader with a lesson.
Writing that is didactic can take many forms. It can be a sermon, a fable, or even an instructional manual. While the ultimate goal of didactic writing is to impart knowledge, the manner in which it is done is equally as important. Didactic writing should be clear, concise, and engaging. It should also be free from any biases or prejudices.
The origins of didactic writing can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where philosophers and scholars wrote treatises on a wide range of subjects, from politics to ethics.
Today, didactic writing is still used to teach and instruct. Perhaps the most common form of didactic writing is the textbook, but didactic writing can also be found in literature and other forms of media.
Didactic writing can be found in many forms of literature, from fables to poetry to essays. Below are two examples of didactic literature that use the technique to teach and instruct.
Aesop's Fables are a collection of short stories that use animals to teach moral lessons. Whether it's 'The Tortoise and the Hare' or 'The Ant and the Grasshopper,' each tale has a clear message that is intended to teach the reader a lesson, making them excellent examples of didactic literature.
'Animal Farm' is a political allegory that uses the story of a group of farm animals to teach readers about communism and its pitfalls. By showing what happens when power is abused and the ideals of equality erode, Orwell provides a lesson about the importance of remaining vigilant against governments that might abuse their power.