Analyse / Break an issue into its constituent parts. Look in depth at each part using supporting arguments and evidence for and against as well as how these interrelate to one another.
Assess / Weigh up to what extent something is true. Persuade the reader of your argument by citing relevant research but also remember to point out any flaws and counter-arguments as well. Conclude by stating clearly how far you are in agreement with the original proposition.
Clarify / Literally make something clearer and, where appropriate, simplify it. This could involve, for example, explaining in simpler terms a complex process or theory, or the relationship between two variables.
Comment upon / Pick out the main points on a subject and give your opinion, reinforcing your point of view using logic and reference to relevant evidence, including any wider reading you have done.
Compare / Identify the similarities and differences between two or more phenomena. Say if any of the shared similarities or differences are more important than others. 'Compare' and 'contrast' will often feature together in an essay question.
Consider / Say what you think and have observed about something. Back up your comments using appropriate evidence from external sources, or your own experience. Include any views which are contrary to your own and how they relate to what you originally thought.
Contrast / Similar to compare but concentrate on the dissimilarities between two or more phenomena, or what sets them apart. Point out any differences which are particularly significant.
Critically evaluate / Give your verdict as to what extent a statement or findings within a piece of research are true, or to what extent you agree with them. Provide evidence taken from a wide range of sources which both agree with and contradict an argument. Come to a final conclusion, basing your decision on what you judge to be the most important factors and justify how you have made your choice.
Define / To give in precise terms the meaning of something. Bring to attention any problems posed with the definition and different interpretations that may exist.
Demonstrate / Show how, with examples to illustrate.
Describe / Provide a detailed explanation as to how and why something happens.
Discuss / Essentially this is a written debate where you are using your skill at reasoning, backed up by carefully selected evidence to make a case for and against an argument, or point out the advantages and disadvantages of a given context. Remember to arrive at a conclusion.
Elaborate / To give in more detail, provide more information on.
Evaluate / See the explanation for 'critically evaluate'.
Examine / Look in close detail and establish the key facts and important issues surrounding a topic. This should be a critical evaluation and you should try and offer reasons as to why the facts and issues you have identified are the most important, as well as explain the different ways they could be construed.
Explain / Clarify a topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurs, or what is meant by the use of this term in a particular context. Your writing should have clarity so that complex procedures or sequences of events can be understood, defining key terms where appropriate, and be substantiated with relevant research.
Explore / Adopt a questioning approach and consider a variety of different viewpoints. Where possible reconcile opposing views by presenting a final line of argument.
Give an account of / Means give a detailed description of something. Not to be confused with 'account for' which asks you not only what, but why something happened.
Identify / Determine what are the key points to be addressed and implications thereof.
Illustrate / A similar instruction to 'explain' whereby you are asked to show the workings of something, making use of definite examples and statistics if appropriate to add weight to your explanation.
Interpret / Demonstrate your understanding of an issue or topic. This can be the use of particular terminology by an author, or what the findings from a piece of research suggest to you. In the latter instance, comment on any significant patterns and causal relationships.
Justify / Make a case by providing a body of evidence to support your ideas and points of view. In order to present a balanced argument, consider opinions which may run contrary to your own before stating your conclusion.
Outline / Convey the main points placing emphasis on global structures and interrelationships rather than minute detail.
Review / Look thoroughly into a subject. This should be a critical assessment and not merely descriptive.
Show how / Present, in a logical order, and with reference to relevant evidence the stages and combination of factors that give rise to something.
State / To specify in clear terms the key aspects pertaining to a topic without being overly descriptive. Refer to evidence and examples where appropriate.
Summarise / Give a condensed version drawing out the main facts and omit superfluous information. Brief or general examples will normally suffice for this kind of answer.
To what extent / Evokes a similar response to questions containing 'How far...'. This type of question calls for a thorough assessment of the evidence in presenting your argument. Explore alternative explanations where they exist.
Account for Give reasons for; explain (note: give an account of;
describe).
Analyse Break the information into constituent parts; examine the
relationship between the parts; question the information.
Argue Put the case for or against a view or idea giving evidence
for your claims/reasons for or against; attempt to influence
the reader to accept your view.
Balance Look at two or more viewpoints or pieces of information;
give each equal attention; look at good and bad points; take
into account many aspects and give an appropriate
weighting to those aspects.
Be critical Identify what is good and bad about the information and
why; probe, question, identify inaccuracies or shortcomings
in the information; estimate the value of the material.
Clarify Identify the components of an issue/topic/problem/; make
the meaning plain; remove misunderstandings.
Compare Look for similarities and differences between; perhaps
conclude which is preferable; implies evaluation.
Conclude/draw
conclusions
The end point of your critical thinking; what the results of an
investigation indicate; arrive at a judgement by reasoning.
Contrast Bring out the differences.
Criticise Give your judgement on theories or opinions or facts and
back this by discussing evidence or reasoning involved.
Deduce Conclude; infer.
Understanding your assignment question
When you get your assignment question, decide:
• What the question means
• What it is asking you to do.
Read the question several times and consider any implicit assumptions
behind the question. Define the key words (use a dictionary if necessary)
and look for any words that focus or restrict the area you need to examine
in your answer.
Key words in the title
Underline the key words or phrases in your question. Use the context
around each key word to help you understand what is required, for
example, ‘discuss briefly’ as compared to ‘ discuss in the context of…’.
Also bear in mind that some words may have slightly different meanings
depending on the discipline in which they are used. If in doubt check with a
subject specific dictionary or your tutor.
The following list provides an explanation of some common question words.
2
Prepared by The Unit for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching
UELT 2008
Define Give the precise meaning. Examine the different possible
or often used definitions.
Demonstrate Show clearly by giving proof or evidence.
Describe Give a detailed, full account of the topic.
Determine Find out something; calculate.
Develop an
opinion/ a view
Decide what you think (based on an argument or evidence).
Discuss Investigate or examine by argument; debate; give reason
for and against; examine the implications of the topic.
Elucidate Explain and make clear.
Estimate Calculate; judge; predict.
Evaluate/weigh
up
Appraise the worth of something in the light of its truth or
usefulness; assess and explain.
Examine Look at carefully; consider.
Explain Make plain and clear; give reasons for.
Give evidence Provide evidence from your own work or that of others
which could be checked by a third party to prove/ justify
what you say.
Identify Point out and describe.
Identify trends Identify patterns/changes/ movements in certain directions
(e.g. over time or across topics/ subjects).
Illustrate Explain, clarify, make clear by the use of concrete
examples.
Infer Conclude something from facts or reasoning.
Interpret Expound the meaning; make clear and explicit, giving your
own judgement.
Justify Show adequate grounds for decisions, a particular view or
conclusions and answer main objections likely to be made
to them.
Outline Give a short description of the main points; give the main
features or general principles; emphasise the structure,
leaving out minor details.
Prove Show that something is true or certain; provide strong
evidence (and examples) for.
Review Make a survey examining the subject carefully; similar to
summarise and evaluate.
State Present in a brief, clear form.
Summarise Give a concise account of the chief points of a matter,
removing unnecessary detail.
Synthesise Bring elements together to make a complex whole, draw
together or integrate issues (e.g. theories or models can be
created by synthesising a number of elements).
Trace Follow the development of topic from its origin.