Understanding your assignment questions: A short guide
- Introduction
- Breaking down the question
Directive or task words
Task works for science based essays.
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It is really important to understand the directive or task word used in your assignment.
This will indicate how you should write and what the purpose of the assignment in. The following examples show some task words and their definitions.
However, it is important to note that none of these words has a fixed meaning. The definitions given are a general guide, and interpretation of the words may vary according to the context and the discipline.
If you are unsure as the exactly what a lecturer means by a particular task word, you should ask for clarification.
Analyse : Break up into parts; investigate
Comment on : Identify and write about the main issues; give your reactions based on what you've read/ heard in lectures. Avoid just personal opinion.
Compare : Look for the similarities between two things. Show the relevance or consequences of these similarities concluding which is preferable.
Contrast : Identify the differences between two items or arguments. Show whether the differences are significant. Perhaps give reasons why one is preferable.
Criticise : Requires an answer that points out mistakes or weaknesses, and which also indicates any favourable aspects of the subject of the question. It requires a balanced answer.
Critically evaluate : Weigh arguments for and against something, assessing the strength of the evidence on both sides. Use criteria to guide your assessment of which opinions, theories, models or items are preferable.
Define : Give the exact meaning of. Where relevant, show you understand how the definition may be problematic.
Describe : To describe is to give an observational account of something and would deal with what happened, where it happened, when it happened and who was involved. Spell out the main aspects of an idea or topic or the sequence in which a series of things happened.
Discuss : Investigate or examine by argument; sift and debate; give reasons for and against; examine the implications.
Evaluate : Assess and give your judgement about the merit, importance or usefulness of something using evidence to support your argument.
Examine : Look closely into something
Explain : Offer a detailed and exact rationale behind an idea or principle, or a set of reasons for a situation or attitude. Make clear how and why something happens.
Explore : Examine thoroughly; consider from a variety of viewpoints
Illustrate : Make something clear and explicit, give examples of evidence
Justify : Give evidence that supports and argument or idea; show why a decision or conclusions were made
Outline : Give the main points/features/general principles; show the main structure and interrelations; omit details and examples
State : Give the main features briefly and clearly
Summarise : Draw out the main points only; omit details and examples
To what extent... : Consider how far something is true, or contributes to a final outcome. Consider also ways in which it is not true.
Task Words:
How to write e.g., discuss, argue etc.
Subject Matter:
What you should be writing about.
Limiting Words:
May narrow or change the focus of your answer. (Important - they stop you from including irrelevant info)
Below are some examples of questions and tips on how you might think about answering them.
Example of assignment questions:
1. compare acute and chronic pain in terms of pathophysiology and treatment.
Compare - Make sure you are comparing and not just describing the two things in isolation
Acute and chronic pain - Subject matter
In terms of pathophysiology and treatment - Important limiting phrase - focus ONLY on these things. Use them as a lens to highlight the differences between acute and chronic pain.
Tip : Assignments that ask you to compare two things can be structured in different ways. You may choose to alternate continually between the two things, making direct comparisons and organising your essay according to themes. Alternatively, you may choose to discuss one thing fully and then the next. If you choose the second approach, you must make the links and comparisons between the two things completely clear.
2. With reference to any particular example enzyme, outline the key structural and functional properties of its active site
With reference to any particular example enzyme - Important limiting phase - focus your answer on a specific example. Use this example to help demonstrate your understanding.
Outline - Factual description is needed. You must demonstrate your knowledge and understanding.
The key structural and functional properties of its active site - Subject matter
Tip : Assignments that ask you to outline or describe are assessing your understanding of the topic. You must express facts clearly and precisely, using examples to illuminate them.
3. There is no convincing evidence for the existence of life outside our solar systems
There is - Task words not so obvious this time. Try turning the title into a question: 'Is there any convincing evidence for...?'
Convincing - Important limiting word- there may be evidence but you need to assess whether or not it is convincing.
For the existence of life outside of our solar system - Subject matter
Tip : Assignment titles that are on actually a question are often simply asking 'how true is this statement?' You must present reasons it could be true and reasons it might not be, supported by evidence and recognising the complexity of the statement.
4. To what extent can nuclear power provide a solution to environmental issues?
Discuss - Explore the topic from different angles, in a critical way (not purely descriptive)
Nuclear power - Subject matter
Provide a solution to - Limiting phrase: discuss ways it can and ways it can't- don't be afraid to take a position based on evidence.
Environmental issues - Subject matter. Might be an idea to define/ discuss what could be meant by environmental issues? This might be important for your argument.
Tip : If an assignment is asking a direct question, make sure your essay answers it. Address it directly in the introduction, make sure each paragraph contributes something towards your response to it, and reinforce your response in your conclusion.
5. Discuss the issue of patient autonomy in relation to at least one case study
The issue of patient autonomy - Subject matter
In relation to at least one case study - Important limiting phrase - don't just discuss the issue of patient autonomy in general; discuss it in the context of one or more case studies. You should use the case study to illustrate all of your points about patient autonomy.
Tip : Assignments that ask you to discuss in relation to a case study, or to a placement or own experience, usually want to see a clear link between theory and practice (reality).
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Identify, Explain, Analyse … essay question words
If you’re struggling with essay questions and wondering what they mean and how to answer them, you’ve come to the right place. While writing essays can be difficult, it’s important to do thorough research and present your arguments convincingly. However, understanding the different question words such as ‘discuss’, ‘examine’, and ‘justify’ is crucial to crafting a well-structured essay. Many students need help understanding the question requirements, but our guide on essay question words will help you avoid this pitfall and excel in your essay writing.
what are Question words?
Question words like ‘analyse’, ‘evaluate’ and ‘explain’ in essay titles indicate how to structure your essay. These words often require critical responses of varying degrees, while some may only require a descriptive answer. It’s important to always adhere to the question words regardless of their nature, as failing to do so can result in irrelevant and low-scoring essays. For instance, a question asking to compare the British and French upper houses of parliament requires more than just pointing out the differences between the two systems.
To avoid such mistakes, it’s recommended to read this guide. The guide categorises the question words as either ‘descriptive’ or ‘critical’ depending on their nature, which will help you identify the type of response required for your essay. Regardless of your level of knowledge in the subject area, misinterpreting the question words can lead to poor essay writing.
Question words that need a critical approach
Certain interrogative words necessitate a crucial response, and the extent to which your responses must be critical varies based on the specifications of the inquiry. We have outlined these distinctions for you below:
When essay questions use the term ‘analyse’ about a particular argument or topic, they require a comprehensive dissection. You must break down the topic or argument into its basic components. Additionally, you must conduct a critical examination of each of these parts. To do so, you should draw upon important debates and evidence to explore the arguments for and against the topic and consider how the different parts of the topic or argument are connected. Your analysis should not simply summarise key debates in the literature; rather, you should take a clear stance based on the evidence and tie your position to the literature.
To respond to an essay question that uses this particular term, the primary objective is to offer your own opinion or judgment about the accuracy of a set of research findings or an argument. You may also need to show the degree to which you concur with a argument or specific hypothesis. It is important to present information from various academic sources that support both sides of the argument. After providing an overview of the evidence, you should clearly state your position and support it with the evidence that led you to your conclusion.
When presented with a question that uses the term ‘justify,’ it is necessary to clarify the reasoning behind your argument by providing evidence that influenced your perspective. You must persuasively present your evidence in your response, showcasing valid reasons for adopting your stance. Additionally, it would be best to address opposing arguments before concluding your argument. This demonstrates a balanced view of the topic and a broad understanding of the relevant literature. To do this effectively, a critical approach is necessary. You should explain why alternative arguments are insufficient and why your argument is superior.
- Critically evaluate
To respond to a ‘critically evaluate’ question, you need to express your opinion on the validity of an argument or research results. To achieve this, you must evaluate the statement or research finding carefully and critically. Your essay response should be assertive and present your thoughts on the accuracy of the topic in question. It is important to support your claims with enough evidence and present a balanced analysis by critiquing alternative perspectives. In addition, it is important to draw evidence from various sources to make your essay response more convincing. To conclude, state your position clearly, explain your reasoning, and provide evidence that influenced your perspective. Finally, it is important to justify your position by presenting a well-reasoned and convincing argument to the reader.
If you encounter a question that includes the term ‘review,’ you are required to undertake a critical examination of a particular subject or argument. This involves summarizing the main themes or points and analyzing them in a critical manner while expressing your viewpoint. In essence, questions that use the term ‘review’ require you to assess the validity of the essay question.
For instance, if the question prompts you to review the literature on electoral reform in Great Britain, you should provide an overview that includes any significant arguments or issues that emerged. Next, you must logically and analytically comment on this material. This includes stating your agreement or disagreement with other scholars’ views and discussing contrasting perspectives. To support your assessment, it is essential to provide evidence, and you should clearly state your position.
Review answers should not be descriptive; instead, they must showcase high analytical skills. The objective is not to repeat the ideas of other scholars but to critically evaluate their work.
When faced with an ‘assess’ question, your task is to evaluate a particular argument or topic’s value, strengths, or weaknesses. Unlike other essay questions, ‘assess’ questions require you to consider multiple viewpoints rather than just expressing your opinion. To create a compelling argument, it is essential to express your ideas on the subject matter explicitly and substantiate them with evidence obtained from secondary sources in literature. The reader should be able to comprehend the robustness of your evaluation through evidence that supports your stance. Besides, it is crucial to recognize the limitations of your argument and tackle any opposing viewpoints that may emerge.
When you come across a ‘Discuss’ question word, you must provide a comprehensive answer encompassing all facets of the argument or research topic. To demonstrate your reasoning skills, you should utilise evidence to support or oppose the argument/research topic.
To conduct a comprehensive examination of the topic, it is advisable to take into account various viewpoints articulated by other researchers. After considering the key arguments presented in the literature, present your perspective on the topic. Clearly expressing your stance and substantiating it with all the relevant evidence is critical.
To conduct a comprehensive investigation of a research topic or argument, it is essential to closely examine the crucial facts and significant issues. Therefore, ‘examine’ question words necessitate an analytical approach. It is also crucial to provide some background information to explain why these issues and facts are important. Have other scholars examined these issues and facts differently? If so, it is necessary to note these differences, the reasons behind them, and compare them to your approach.
In contrast to other question words, the questions that use the term ‘examine’ are more focused and less broad, as they require you to analyse specific evidence or facts in a critical manner for your analysis.
- To what extent
This kind of question requires you to assess your level of agreement with a statement given in the question. To achieve this, you must conduct a thorough analysis of the subject and the evidence cited to support your stance. To address such questions, you must demonstrate your knowledge of the topic and use a critical approach to present your argument. You should examine both sides of the issue and present contrasting evidence. However, you must explain why specific evidence or information is more relevant in supporting your answer.
Question words that need a descriptive response
Sometimes, certain question words only need a description as a response, and this is true for the words listed below:
This question requires you to clearly define the subject matter, providing a detailed explanation of its meaning. If there are multiple definitions of the subject, mentioning them and explaining why you’ve chosen to use a particular definition is important. If there is disagreement among scholars regarding the definition, you should discuss this as well. Make sure to provide multiple meanings if they exist, demonstrating your familiarity with the literature.
- Demonstrate
To effectively answer ‘demonstrate’ questions, it is necessary to provide numerous examples, evidence, and logical arguments. The main objective is to show how a particular research topic or argument is legitimate by offering evidence and arguments to validate your claim. Emphasise your position when addressing such questions. It’s crucial to provide solid evidence to build a strong case.
To answer a “describe” question, it is essential to provide a comprehensive understanding of the primary features of a research topic impartially. As the responses to these questions are primarily descriptive, providing a narrative-style account or depiction is crucial. Rather than focusing on the fundamental meaning of the subject, “describe” questions emphasise its specific qualities, which should serve as the foundation of your answer.
In ‘elaborate’ questions, providing a comprehensive and detailed account of an argument or a research topic is necessary. Such questions typically require descriptive responses, so you must show that you have conducted thorough research to substantiate the information you provide.
To answer ‘explain’ questions, you must detail a research topic or argument. Pretend you describe it to someone who knows nothing about the subject and provide as much detail as possible. You should also define any jargon or key terms that you use. Additionally, you should support your claims with academic research. Your response should demonstrate your clear understanding of the topic or argument and present a coherent interpretation to the reader. To achieve coherence, it is helpful to consider the ‘what’, ‘how’, and ‘why’ questions and structure your response logically.
It is important to approach “exploratory” essay questions with a questioning attitude. Objectivity is crucial because you must present all viewpoints before stating your arguments. A detached, unemotional tone is often more effective than an assertive, argumentative tone. The objective is to provide a comprehensive description of an argument or research topic by analyzing its different components.
When presented with an essay question that uses the term ‘identity’ in relation to a research topic or argument, your task is to provide a succinct and well-structured explanation of the main ideas. This is similar to what has been done in this paragraph.
To respond to these questions, you must usually provide various examples, such as graphs, figures, tables or specific research data and evidence. The purpose of including these examples is to showcase your understanding of the topic and to provide additional explanations or support for your answer.
To provide an outline answer, you must present a structured summary of an argument or a research topic. Including only the main points and essential supplementary information is essential instead of getting bogged down in minor details. Ensure that your response is presented in a clear and organised manner.
When you’re tasked with summarising a research topic, you must provide a concise version of its main points or facts. Your focus should be on the most important information, and you should leave out all minor details. Summaries are usually short and straightforward, conveying the primary facts clearly and efficiently. The goal is to present the main points briefly and impactfully.
This means to elucidate a topic or argument and make it more understandable. This may involve clarifying a topic or an argument by presenting it in simpler terms. These questions need you to clarify or simplify a complex subject or topic. It is crucial to maintain coherence when answering such questions and to present your response systematically.
You must find commonalities between two or more discussion topics if asked to’ compare’. To go beyond a simple comparison, you should attempt to comprehend the origins of the similarities and their importance. Additionally, you should highlight differences, but your essay should focus on establishing similarities.
To answer ‘contrast’ questions, you need to highlight and explain the disparities between multiple subjects of discussion rather than their similarities, unlike ‘compare’ questions. The main focus should be on outlining the differences and identifying what distinguishes them from one another. When dealing with ‘contrast’ questions, keep these broad queries in mind.
By providing an explanation of the meaning of essay question words, we hope to offer guidance on how to approach them in your essay writing . Additionally, here are some tips to keep in mind when answering essay questions:
Firstly, make sure you fully comprehend the question and understand what is required of you. Thoroughly examine the question words and their meaning before you start planning your response.
Secondly, read the question multiple times and attempt to uncover any underlying assumptions or subtext. Highlight key phrases and create a basic outline of your response. This outline doesn’t need to be complex, but it will help you structure your response coherently.
Finally, before submitting your essay, review it carefully for inconsistencies and grammatical or spelling errors. It may be helpful to have a professional editor examine your work to provide fresh insights and identify areas for improvement.
Author Bio: Mark Edmonds is a seasoned academic writer and a proud member of the Academic Assignments team. With over a decade of experience in assignment writing services , Mark has helped numerous students achieve academic success through his expertise and guidance. He holds a Master’s degree in English Literature and has a keen eye for detail, which enables him to craft top-notch assignments that meet the highest standards of academic excellence.
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The Writing Guide
- The First Thing
- Step 1: Understanding the essay question
Identify task, content & limiting words in the essay question
Words, words, words..., academic writing webinar part 1.
- Step 2: Critical note-taking
- Step 3: Planning your assignment
- Step 4a: Effective writing
- Step 4b: Summarizing & paraphrasing
- Step 4c: Academic language
- Step 5: Editing and reviewing
- Getting started with research
- Working with keywords
- Evaluating sources
- Research file
- Reading Smarter
- Sample Essay
- What, why, where, when, who?
- Referencing styles
- Writing Resources
- Exams and Essay Questions
Essay topics contain key words that explain what information is required and how it is to be presented. Using the essay question below indentify task content & limiting words. Regardless of your topic or discipline, if you can identify these words in your essay topic, you can begin to consider what you will need to do to answer the question.
Task words : These are words that tell you what to do, for example “compare”, “discuss”, “critically evaluate”, “explain” etc.
Content words : These words in the essay topic will tell you which ideas and concepts should form the knowledge base of the assignment. Refer to subject specific dictionary or glossary.
Effective communication is considered a core skill in higher education and is usually conveyed through the medium of academic papers and essays. Discuss the process of writing academic essays and critically examine the importance of structure and content.
Before you scroll down to the next box, what can you unpack from this topic? What are you actually going to look for in a search tool like One Search? What are you supposed to do?
- Content Words
- Limiting Words
- Context Words
Task words are usually verbs and they tell you what to do to complete your assignment.
You need to identify these words, because you will need to follow these instructions to pass the assignment. As you research and write your assignment, check these words occasionally to make sure you are still doing what you have been asked to do.
Here are some definitions of different academic task words. Make sure you know exactly what you need to do for your assignment.
Don't try to use them in your research - they aren't things to find, only things to do.
The task words from our sample question are:
Effective communication is considered a core skill in higher education and is usually conveyed through the medium of academic papers and essays. Discuss the process of writing academic essays and critically examine the importance of structure and content.
- Discuss means to "consider and offer an interpretation or evaluation of something; or give a judgment on the value of arguments for and against something"
- Examine means to inspect something in detail and investigate the implications
So, you would need to give a short description of what essay writing is all about, and then offer an evaluation of the essay structure and the way it presents content.
- Task Words Here are some definitions of different academic task words. Make sure you know exactly what you need to do for your assignment.
The content words are the "meat" of the question - these are things you can research.
Effective communication is considered a core skill in higher education and is usually conveyed through the medium of academic papers and essays . Discuss the process of writing academic essays and critically examine the importance of structure and content .
You will often be asked to talk about "the role" something plays or "processes", "importance", "methods" or "implementations" - but you can't really research these things just by looking for those words.
You need to find the keywords - the most concrete concepts - and search for those. The information you find about the concrete terms will tell you about the "roles" and "methods", the "process" or the "importance", but they probably won't use those words exactly.
One of the core skills of academic research is learning to extrapolate : to find the connections in the information you can find that will help you answer the questions which don't have clear, cut-and-dry answers in the books and articles.
So, the core keywords/concepts to research are:
- "academic writing"
- "higher education"
- structure and content
Limiting words keep you focused on a particular area, and stop you from trying to research everything in the history of mankind.
They could limit you by:
- Time (you may be asked to focus on the last 5 years, or the late 20th Century, for example)
- Place (you may be asked to focus on Australia, or Queensland, or South-East Asia)
- People groups (such as "women over the age of 50" or "people from low socio-economic backgrounds" or "Australians of Asian descent")
- Extent (you are only to look at a particular area, or the details you believe are most relevant or appropriate).
In this example, you have two limits:
- "higher education" is the industry focus. This could be expanded to include the tertiary or university sector.
- Essays - we are concentrating on essay writing as the aspect of communication. Note that this is also a content word. There can be (and usually is) some crossover.
Sometimes it can help to add your own limits . With health sciences, you almost always limit your research to the last five or six years. Social sciences are not as strict with the date range but it's still a good idea to keep it recent. You could specifically look at the Australian context. You may decide to focus on the private sector within that industry.
With the question above you could limit yourself to only looking at first year university students.
Sometimes an assignment task will give you phrases or sentences that aren't part of the task at all: they exist to give you some context .
These can be ignored when you do your research, but you should read over them occasionally as you are writing your assignment. They help you know what the lecturer was thinking about (and wanted you to think about) when they set that task.
Effective communication is considered a core skill in higher education and is usually conveyed through the medium of academic papers and essays . Discuss the process of writing academic essays and critically examine the importance of structure and content.
You don't have to do anything with the first sentence of this question - but it does get you to think specifically about the "using essays to communicate knoweldge" - something that isn't mentioned in the task itself.
Obviously, whoever wrote the task wants you to think about the assignments as a form of writing and communication.
It is easy to get distracted and go off on tangents when doing your research . Use the context words to help you keep your focus where it should be.
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Study Toolbox: Understanding Instructional Words in Essays, Assignments & Exams
- General Study Tips
- Note Taking
- Mind Mapping
- Searching Online Databases
- Searching Business Source Complete
- Searching CINAHL Ultimate
- Searching ProQuest Central
- Searching Science Direct
- Critically Evaluating Articles
- Critically Evaluating Websites
- Using Ebook Central
- Assignment Process
- Structure of an Academic Essay
- Understanding Instructional Words in Essays, Assignments & Exams
- Essay Checklist
- Literature Review
- APA Referencing
- Studying for Exams and Tests
- Tips for taking Exams
Before you can answer a question, you need to know what it means. When you are trying to understand the question look for instructional words, words that tell you what to do. Examples of these are analyse, describe and review.
Understanding Instructional Words
This table provides a list of instructional words and explains clearly what they require you to do in your essay, assignment or exam.
Break down a topic into parts. Look in depth at each part using supporting arguments and evidence for and against. | |
Present reasons and evidence to support or reject a position or viewpoint. | |
Decide how important, useful, valuable or effective something is and give your reasons and evidence. | |
Arrange information into groups. | |
Present your opinion on the topic and back up your opinion with relevant evidence/information. | |
Identify similarities between two or more topics/ideas. | |
Identify differences between two or more topics/ideas. | |
Identify and discuss both the similarities and differences between ideas/topics etc. | |
Give your judgement about the value or truth of something. Discuss both positive and negative points. Support with evidence. | |
Clearly state the exact meaning of something. | |
Use examples or evidence to clarify and support your answer. | |
Give a detailed account of something. No explanation or interpretation is required. | |
Make a graph, chart or drawing to illustrate an idea. Label it and include a brief explanation. | |
Present both sides of an issue/subject with evidence and then draw conclusions. | |
Provide more detail with reasons and examples. | |
Investigate closely a topic/issue etc. | |
Make something clear by providing reasons and evidence. | |
Select relevant details and discuss these. | |
Examine a statement or idea and give a clear explanation/judgement of what it means. | |
Use evidence to support an argument or idea. The aim is to convince the reader. | |
Give a concise numbered list of things or ideas. | |
Give the main points, do not include detail. | |
Establish the truth of something using evidence. | |
Show how things are connected or related to each other. | |
Briefly and clearly present the main points. | |
Give a concise account of the key points of the topic removing unnecessary detail. | |
Describe the development or history of a topic from some point of origin. |
- Printable copy of Understanding Instructional Words This is a printable version of the table above. It provides a list of instructional words and explains what each requires you to do in your essay, assignment, test or exam.
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Essays: task words
Written Assignments
Explore what different task words mean and how they apply to your assignments
You'll need to understand what your assignments are asking you to do throughout your studies. Your assessments use 'task words' that explain what you need to do in your work.
Task words are the words or phrases in a brief that tell you what to do. Common examples of task words are 'discuss', 'evaluate', 'compare and contrast', and 'critically analyse'. These words are used in assessment marking criteria and will showcase how well you've answered the question.
None of these words have a fixed meaning. Your lecturers may have specific definitions for your subject or task so you should make sure you have a good idea of what these terms mean in your field. You can check this by speaking to your lecturer, checking your course handbook and reading your marking criteria carefully.
Task words and descriptions
- Account for : Similar to ‘explain’ but with a heavier focus on reasons why something is or is not the way it is.
- Analyse : This term has the widest range of meanings according to the subject. Make a justified selection of some of the essential features of an artefact, idea or issue. Examine how these relate to each other and to other ideas, in order to help better understand the topic. See ideas and problems in different ways, and provide evidence for those ways of seeing them.
- Assess : This has very different meanings in different disciplines. Measure or evaluate one or more aspect of something (for example, the effectiveness, significance or 'truth' of something). Show in detail the outcomes of these evaluations.
- Compare : Show how two or more things are similar.
- Compare and contrast : Show similarities and differences between two or more things.
- Contrast : Show how two or more things are different.
- Critically analyse : As with analysis, but questioning and testing the strength of your and others’ analyses from different perspectives. This often means using the process of analysis to make the whole essay an objective, reasoned argument for your overall case or position.
- Critically assess : As with “assess”, but emphasising your judgments made about arguments by others, and about what you are assessing from different perspectives. This often means making the whole essay a reasoned argument for your overall case, based on your judgments.
- Critically evaluate : As with 'evaluate', but showing how judgments vary from different perspectives and how some judgments are stronger than others. This often means creating an objective, reasoned argument for your overall case, based on the evaluation from different perspectives.
- Define : Present a precise meaning.
- Describe : Say what something is like. Give its relevant qualities. Depending on the nature of the task, descriptions may need to be brief or the may need to be very detailed.
- Discuss : Provide details about and evidence for or against two or more different views or ideas, often with reference to a statement in the title. Discussion often includes explaining which views or ideas seem stronger.
- Examine : Look closely at something. Think and write about the detail, and question it where appropriate.
- Explain : Give enough description or information to make something clear or easy to understand.
- Explore : Consider an idea or topic broadly, searching out related and/or particularly relevant, interesting or debatable points.
- Evaluate : Similar to “assess”, this often has more emphasis on an overall judgement of something, explaining the extent to which it is, for example, effective, useful, or true. Evaluation is therefore sometimes more subjective and contestable than some kinds of pure assessment.
- Identify : Show that you have recognised one or more key or significant piece of evidence, thing, idea, problem, fact, theory, or example.
- Illustrate : Give selected examples of something to help describe or explain it, or use diagrams or other visual aids to help describe or explain something.
- Justify : Explain the reasons, usually “good” reasons, for something being done or believed, considering different possible views and ideas.
- Outline : Provide the main points or ideas, normally without going into detail.
- Summarise : This is similar to 'outline'. State, or re-state, the most important parts of something so that it is represented 'in miniature'. It should be concise and precise.
- State : Express briefly and clearly.
Download our essay task words revision sheet
Download this page as a PDF for your essay writing revision notes.
Writing: flow and coherence
Writing clear sentences
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Before you start your assessment make sure you understand what you have been asked to do.
Read the question
Read the assessment question or task slowly and carefully. As you do, ask yourself:
- What's the question about? What's the topic?
- What does the question mean?
- What do I have to do?
Try rewriting it using your own words using the format below:
‘This assessment is about ______________________ I have to___________________’
Also check for information about the assessment and what’s expected of you in your course materials, talk channels or messages from your course leader.
Analyse the question
Look at the question and identify the instruction , topic and limiting words .
Instruction words
Instruction words tell you what to do. Do you need to analyse, discuss, evaluate, summarise or something else?
Here’s some common instruction words:
- Analyse – examine the main ideas and issues of a topic, look at arguments for or against, and show their relationships.
- Describe – explain and explore the meaning or main features of something.
- Discuss – examine and analyse key points and possible interpretations; give arguments for and against, and draw a conclusion.
- Evaluate – give an opinion (with evidence) on the strength or weakness of something
More assessment instruction words and their meanings
Topic words
Topic words tell you what you need to write about – what you need to analyse, argue, discuss, and so on.
You can identify them by taking the instruction word and putting ‘what’ after them. For example, discuss what? Describe what?
Limiting words
Limiting words narrow down your topic and let you know what to focus on. This might be a certain time, place, or part of a topic.
Examples of instruction, topic and limiting words:
- Instruction – Critically examine – analyse the positive and negatives of
- Topic – the Warehouse's marketing strategy – what you need to write about
- Limiting words – the success – don't just describe the strategy, focus on how it is or is not successful.
- Instruction – Write a report / outline – ensure you follow an appropriate report format that gives a clear description and explanation
- Topic – structural systems show in Building A and Building B – what you need to write about
- Limiting words – the advantages and disadvantages of each system – make sure you cover each of these for A and B.
- Instruction – Choose / compare – make sure you are comparing two things, and not just describing them in isolation
- Topic – two education philosophers – what you need to write about
- Limiting words – how their philosophies have influenced education today – focus on how each of these philosophies have influenced modern education.
Tip – When you find something about the assessment in your course materials or course talk channel, bookmark it and keep a note of it. This will help you when you start your research.
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If you want to talk with someone about understanding your assessment task, contact The Library and Learning Centre | Te Whare Pukapuka Wāhanga Whakapakari Ako.
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While some writing assignments are straightforward, others may need careful deciphering to make sure you are following the guidelines. Looking carefully at the instructions provided for any writing assignment to be certain that you understand the guidelines not only prevents missteps but can also help you develop strategies for conquering the task ahead.
General Considerations
Some terms found in assignments relate to genres used in different disciplines. Close Reading, Literature Review, Report, Study, Memorandum, and Proposal are some examples of terms that relate to specific formats. There are important distinctions between these genres. For example, a Close Reading of a piece of literature requires more analysis than a Literature Review , which asks for key points of summary that relate to an argument. If you are unfamiliar with these terms and they show up in an assignment, be sure to clarify the guidelines with your instructor.
In Practice
Ask questions.
One of the most important things to know about understanding assignments is that if an assignment or any part of an assignment confuses you, you can always ask your instructor for clarification. Asking questions might help your instructor to realize what other students might be struggling with as well. Before stopping by office hours or after class with questions, you might first consider the suggestions below so that you can identify exactly what parts of the assignment remain unclear.
Become Familiar with Common Assignment Goals
Assignments will often contain a variety of terms that can help you to identify the task or tasks you need to perform. The terms generally fall into one of the following categories:
- Summarize – A summary provides a condensed explanation of key features from a text or activity. Many assignments might require some summary even if summarizing isn’t the main goal of the assignment. A summary may be required if the assignment includes words such as describe, explain, depict, and illustrate .
- Analyze – If an assignment asks you to analyze something, it is asking for your own logical interpretation of the meaning behind the constituent parts of the subject. An analysis is different than a summary as it provides a new understanding about the subject in question, not just an overview. Other words that may be asking for analysis are elaborate, examine, discuss, explore, investigate, and determine .
- Argue – If an assignment asks you to make an argument, you need to take a stand on a topic and develop your claim to show why your position makes sense. There are many terms related to argument. For example, evaluate, critique, assess, and review may ask for an argument about the worth of a subject. Propose, recommend, and advise may ask for a solution to a problem. Define asks for an argument about what a word or concept means Compare/contrast, synthesize, and apply (as in apply one text to another ) may ask for an argument about key points of similarity and difference in your subjects, and an analysis about why those points matter.
Break Down the Tasks and Locate the Central Goal
Just like any other text, an assignment can be broken down and analyzed. By keeping in mind that any good essay will have one main goal and one central argument or thesis that incorporates the various subparts, you can begin to determine what shape your essay should take. (In some cases an instructor might not expect an argument or thesis; however, this is rare. If you suspect a thesis is not needed but don’t know for sure, check with your instructor.)
- What Should This Essay Really Contain? Highlight each separate task included in the instructions. Consider the terms above as you identify the tasks you need to perform. If the assignment is relatively simple, write out the tasks that will need to be performed. If there are terms that you aren’t familiar with, consider what kind of task they imply.
- What Should the Thesis/Argument Be About? Once you have identified the tasks and goals, determine which is the main goal. Every essay should have a well-stated, debatable, and complex thesis statement that guides the essay, but it might be up to you to figure out what the focus of the argument should be. Think about the most important issues discussed in class as they can be clues to what an instructor wants. What would your instructor want you to take a stand on?
- How Should This Essay Be Structured? Once you have determined the central goal, outline the essay according to how you think it should be completed, showing how each sub-goal will relate to the main goal or goals. Consider how the other tasks or sub-goals connect to the main argument. If you find you can’t outline with confidence or still aren’t sure how the assignment should be completed, make a note of which elements remain unclear and plan to meet with your instructor.
Analyzing a Sample Assignment
Imagine you have been given this essay prompt: Compare Denmark’s current environmental policies with those of the past. What difficulties have the policies faced over time and how have they been adapted to current environmental concerns? Incorporate the ideas presented in the article by Smith and discuss whether or not the new environmental standards helped or hurt the farmers in Denmark based on the timeline that we discussed in class? What needs to be changed?
Step One: What Should This Essay Really Contain? The essay asks for several tasks of various kinds. 1.) A comparison between past and present environmental policies in Denmark. 2.) A description or summary of the problems these policies have faced and how they have changed. 3.) An analysis of what Smith says about the success and failure of the policies. 4.) An evaluation of what the policies have meant for farmers. 5.) A proposal for changes that would need to be made.
Step Two: What Should The Thesis/Argument Be About? Though the essay asks for a comparison first, that task seems like more of a summary than an argument. The analysis of what Smith says also sounds like the potential central focus, but the analysis seems to be needed mostly to help strengthen the evaluation to come. Since the class is a policy class that focuses on understanding why policies in many governments succeed or fail, it is probably important to evaluate the policies. So task 4 is probably the central argument, combined with task 5.
Step Three: How Should This Essay Be Structured? With tasks 4 and 5 as the central focus, the introduction should include an evaluation in the thesis along with a sense of the proposal. After the thesis, it makes sense to first summarize the past and present policies, which will then lead to a summary of what has changed. Smith could be brought in during both summaries to provide commentary on what has occurred. Once these elements have been established, analyzing the successes and failures of the policies should enter. A proposal could come last and would be based on avoiding future policy failures.
Complete the tasks described above for the following essay assignment. Remember, there might be more than one right way to complete the task.
Sample Art History Assignment: Focusing on Courbet’s painting, Woman with a Parrot , and Cabanal’s painting, Birth of Venus , can you describe the similarities and differences in the way these two artists have depicted the female nude? (Think about the subjects of each of the works when you answer this question.) When it was shown at the Salon, Courbet's painting ignited quite a scandal; Cabanal's, on the other hand, was a favorite with the critics. Which painting had more impact and why? [Assignment taken from http://mysite.pratt.edu/~wtc/sample1.html ]
- What Tasks Does This Essay Contain?
- What Should The Thesis/Argument Be About?
- How Should This Essay Be Structured?
Possible Solution: 1. Describe, Compare/Contrast, Evaluate (which had more impact) and Argue why. 2. I would argue why the painting I chose had a greater impact. 3. I would begin by describing the scandal in my intro, then include a thesis of evaluation, then describe both paintings in depth (including details of subject matter), then analyze the worth of each, then argue the greater worth of one painting, then analyze why I made that choice.
Hjorthoj, Keith. Transitions to College Writing . 3rd Ed. Boston: Bedford St. Martin’s, 2001.
Last updated August 2013
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It is important to understand what an essay question or assignment brief is asking of you. Before you start to research or write, it is worth spending time considering the wording of the question and any learning outcomes that may accompany it. Each assignment will generally have at least three learning outcomes which you must cover if you are to achieve a pass.
Breaking down an assignment question
Before you attempt to answer an assignment question, you need to make sure you understand what it is asking. This includes not only the subject matter, but also the way in which you are required to write. Different questions may ask you to discuss, outline, evaluate… and many more. The task words are a key part of the question.
- Key Words in Assignment Briefs
| Meaning |
---|---|
Account | Account asks you to give reasons for. An account asks for a detailed description |
Analyse | Make a detailed examination or investigation into something. |
Assess | Consider in a balanced way the points for and against something |
Comment | State clearly your opinions on the topic in question. Support your views with evidence |
Compare | Look for the similarities and differences. Show the relevance or consequences of these similarities. |
Contrast | Emphasise the differences between two or more things. |
Critically evaluate | Weigh arguments for and against something, assessing the strength of the evidence on both sides. Use criteria to guide your assessment of which opinions, theories, models or items are preferable. |
Define | Give the precise meaning of something. Show how the distinctions you make are necessary |
Describe | Give a detailed account |
Discuss | Investigate or examine by argument; give reasons for and against. |
Evaluate | Make a judgement about the value/importance/worth of something. |
Examine | Present in depth and investigate fully the implications. |
Explain | Make plain, interpret, give reasons. |
Extent | 'To what extent’ – asks you to weigh the evidence for and against something: to state ‘how far’ something is valid. |
Illustrate | Use examples, diagrams and so on to explain or make clear. |
Interpret | Make clear the meaning of something, usually giving your own views also |
Justify | Show adequate grounds for decisions or conclusions |
Outline | Give the main features, structure or general principles of a topic omitting minor details. |
Review | Make a survey of; critically examine the subject. |
State | Specify fully and clearly. |
Summarise | Give a concise account of the main points of the topic. |
Trace | Follow the development or history of an event or process |
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Answering Assignment Questions
In order to decide how to answer an essay question, you need to identify what the question requires in terms of content and genre. This guide outlines some methods to help you analyse essay questions.
Analyse the question using key words
Assignment questions can be broken down into parts so that you can better understand what you are being asked to do. It is important to identify key words and phrases in the topic.
What are key words?
Key words are the words in an assignment question that tell you the approaches to take when you answer.
Make sure you understand the meaning of key words in an essay question, especially t ask words . As Task words are verbs that direct you and tell you how to go about answering a question, understanding the meaning helps you know exactly what you to do.
Content words tell you what the topic area(s) of your assignment are and take you halfway towards narrowing down your material and selecting your answer. Content words help you to focus your research and reading on the correct area.
Limiting words make a broad topic workable. They focus the topic area further by indicating aspects you should narrowly concentrate on.
If you're not sure about any aspect of the question, ask your tutor/lecturer for clarification. Never start any assignment until you know and understand exactly what you are being asked to do.
How to use key words
- Look for the keywords in your essay question.
- Underline them.
- Spend a little time working out what they mean. Use the Glossary of task words to help you.
Example Question
Computers have had a significant impact on education in the 20th century. Discuss the changes they have made.
DISCUSS. Look up the meaning in the glossary of task words to find out what it means.
(See Glossary of task words )
Content Words
EDUCATION, COMPUTERS. Content words help you to direct your research and reading towards the correct area(s), in this case on computers and on education.
Limiting Words
CHANGES, SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, 20TH CENTURY. Limiting words further define the topic area and indicate aspects you should narrowly concentrate on. For example, in this question, do not just write about computers in education, Discuss the SIGNIFICANT IMPACT they have had and the CHANGES computers have made to education during a certain time: the 20TH CENTURY.
See next: Implied or complex questions
Essay and assignment writing guide.
- Essay writing basics
- Essay and assignment planning
- Complex assignment questions
- Glossary of task words
- Editing checklist
- Writing a critical review
- Annotated bibliography
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Plan your writing
Interpret your assignment.
Planning how you approach your writing will make sure that you understand the task, can manage your time, and present a researched, structured and focused assignment.
Before you start writing, you need to understand what type of writing you are required to produce. For example, you might be asked to produce a report, an essay, an annotated bibliography or a literature review. This will shape how you will prepare, research and write your assignment. Take time to understand the conventions of each type of assignment and what is expected of you.
Understand instructional words
Instructional verbs in the assignment task will indicate how to plan your approach. Choose the instructional words that you have been given below to reveal what they mean.
Instructional verbs
Examine an issue in close detail and break it into its constituent parts. Look in depth at each part, consider the evidence, and show you understand the relationship between them.
Decide on the importance or usefulness of something and give reasons and evidence for your decision.
Identify similarities and differences between two or more things, problems or arguments. Draw a conclusion about which (if either) you think is preferable or more convincing.
Outline the meaning of a word, concept or theory as it is used in your discipline. In some cases it may be necessary or desirable to examine different possible, or often used, definitions.
Present factual information about something, using appropriate evidence to support your description.
Examine the arguments and the evidence to support them. Consider different sides of the issue and weigh up the implications of each argument.
Make an appraisal of the worth of something, an argument or a set of beliefs, in the light of its validity or value. This does involve making your own judgements, but they must be supported by an evidenced argument and justification.
Explain or clarify something using evidence, diagrams, figures, or case studies.
Provide adequate reasons for a decision or a conclusion by supporting it with sufficient evidence and argument; answer the main objections that are likely to be made to it.
Summarise the main features or the general principles of a subject, topic or theory.
Provide a thorough examination of a topic. You may be asked to draw your own conclusions.
To what extent
Explore and present the argument(s) for a particular topic and state the degree to which you agree with them.
Accordion 1
Sample accordion 1
Adapted from: Greetham, B. 2018. How to write better essays . 4th ed. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
Scope and focus
Look at the assignment task to identify whether there is a specific aspect of the topic that you are being asked to focus on. For example:
- Is the topic or question limited to a certain time period, region, or group of people?
- Are you being asked to consider a particular angle (for example, political, social, economic aspects of the topic)?
If the assignment task does not include information about the scope or limitations of the topic, you should choose these yourself. Think about what key issues have been covered in your module and whether you could use any of these to produce a focused answer to the question.
If something in the assignment brief is unclear, check with your module leader as soon as possible before starting to plan your answer.
Watch this short video on how to plan and get started with your assignment.
Define your purpose and reader
The next step before writing is to clearly define the purpose of the writing and the audience.
Most formal academic writing at university is set by, and written for, an academic tutor or assessor. There should be clear criteria against which they will mark your work. Your tutor may ask you to write for different audiences such as a lay audience or your peers, so make sure you know who your intended audience is before you start writing.
Once you have a clear idea of what is required for your assignment, you can start to plan what you are going to write.
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Understanding your assignment.
The first step in the writing process is to carefully examine the assignment. Don't underestimate the importance of spending a few minutes to think about what your professor is looking for. A well-written paper can receive a lower grade simply because it does not meet the requirements of the assignment. Here are some strategies for decoding a prompt:
- Look for key words. Look for words in the assignment that indicate what type of writing the professor wants you to produce. Such words help you frame your paper, find your audience, and generate the type of writing your professor expects. For example, there is a difference between "summarize" and "analyze." Be aware of the meanings of words like "discuss", "evaluate", "explain", "describe", and "define." If you aren't sure what your professor means by a certain word in the assignment, don't be afraid to ask for clarification.
- Know the purpose of the paper. Once you've figured out what the assignment is telling you, think about how you will write to fulfill the expectations of your audience. The assignment may require you to persuade your reader, compare and contrast ideas, or summarize an author's point of view. Considering your purpose at this point will make it easier for you to figure out what kind of thesis you'll need when you start to write the paper.
- Fulfill the criteria in the prompt. This point may seem self-evident, but it's important! It's easy to get off-topic when you're in the brainstorming stage. When considering your ideas, look back at the assignment to make sure you're still within the parameters set by your professor. Be aware of the specific details of the assignment and know your audience, word limit, and other guidelines.
- Ask for clarity. Sometimes professors make assignments vague or open-ended so that you have an opportunity to work on a topic that interests you. If you don't understand the assignment, if you're having trouble developing a topic, or if you're worried that your topic may stray from your assignment, ask your professor for guidance or visit the Writing Center.
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Definition of examine
transitive verb
intransitive verb
- interrogate
- sweat [ slang ]
scrutinize , scan , inspect , examine mean to look at or over.
scrutinize stresses close attention to minute detail.
scan implies a surveying from point to point often suggesting a cursory overall observation.
inspect implies scrutinizing for errors or defects.
examine suggests a scrutiny in order to determine the nature, condition, or quality of a thing.
Examples of examine in a Sentence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'examine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Middle English, from Anglo-French examiner , from Latin examinare , from examen
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Phrases Containing examine
- re - examine
Dictionary Entries Near examine
examinatorial
examined copy
Cite this Entry
“Examine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/examine. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Kids Definition
Kids definition of examine, medical definition, medical definition of examine, legal definition, legal definition of examine, more from merriam-webster on examine.
Nglish: Translation of examine for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of examine for Arabic Speakers
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Academic writing skills guide: understanding assignments.
- Key Features of Academic Writing
- The Writing Process
- Understanding Assignments
- Brainstorming Techniques
- Planning Your Assignments
- Thesis Statements
- Writing Drafts
- Structuring Your Assignment
- How to Deal With Writer's Block
- Using Paragraphs
- Conclusions
- Introductions
- Revising & Editing
- Proofreading
- Grammar & Punctuation
- Reporting Verbs
- Signposting, Transitions & Linking Words/Phrases
- Using Lecturers' Feedback
Before you start researching or writing, you need to take some time to analyse your assignment topic, interpret the question and decide how you are going to approach it. The title, brief and guidelines are the key elements for any assignment, so it is important to make sure that you clearly understand what is being asked of you. A very common remark from lecturers is that a student has written a lot of information but failed to answer the question. So, rather than rush straight into reading and researching – give yourself time to think carefully about the assignment and understand what it is asking you to do. The assignment will generally be asking for something specific and will be closely related to the module content and the module reading. Read the assignment guidelines in detail and make sure you understand exactly what type of assignment you are expected to write. For example, it could be an assignment, report, case study analysis, reflective journal, literature review or research proposal.
The key to success in written assignments is to understand what is expected of you. If you do not understand what is expected from the assignment brief or the marking criteria, you will not be able to produce the result that your lecturer is expecting and hoping for. Understanding the question is the first and most important step when starting your assignments and helps to ensure that your research and writing is more focused and relevant. This means understanding both the individual words, and also the general scope of the question. A common mistake students make with their assignments is to misinterpret what the assignment is asking them to do and go off-topic. |
Close reading of the question and referring back to it throughout the assignment writing process is important to ensure that you are answering it properly. |
COMMENTS
Definition of Question Words with Examples. Words such as 'explain', 'evaluate' or 'analyse' - typical question words used in essay titles - provide a useful indication of how your essay should be structured. They often require varying degrees of critical responses. Sometimes, they may simply require a descriptive answer.
Examine: Look closely into something. Explain: Offer a detailed and exact rationale behind an idea or principle, or a set of reasons for a situation or attitude. Make clear how and why something happens. Explore: Examine thoroughly; consider from a variety of viewpoints. Illustrate: Make something clear and explicit, give examples of evidence
Define. Make a statement as to the meaning or interpretation of something, giving sufficient detail as to allow it to be distinguished from similar things. Describe. Spell out the main aspects of an idea or topic or the sequence in which a series of things happened. Discuss. Investigate or examine by argument.
Examine; To conduct a comprehensive investigation of a research topic or argument, it is essential to closely examine the crucial facts and significant issues. Therefore, 'examine' question words necessitate an analytical approach. It is also crucial to provide some background information to explain why these issues and facts are important.
Examine means to inspect something in detail and investigate the implications; So, you would need to give a short description of what essay writing is all about, and then offer an evaluation of the essay structure and the way it presents content. ... Sometimes an assignment task will give you phrases or sentences that aren't part of the task at ...
Examine: Investigate closely a topic/issue etc. Explain: Make something clear by providing reasons and evidence. Identify: Select relevant details and discuss these. Interpret: Examine a statement or idea and give a clear explanation/judgement of what it means. Justify: Use evidence to support an argument or idea. The aim is to convince the ...
Account for: Similar to 'explain' but with a heavier focus on reasons why something is or is not the way it is.; Analyse: This term has the widest range of meanings according to the subject.Make a justified selection of some of the essential features of an artefact, idea or issue. Examine how these relate to each other and to other ideas, in order to help better understand the topic.
The pressure on New Zealand health systems is politically, socially and economically determined. Discuss with reference to prescription medicine allocation. "determined" suggests that this is a cause and effect question. Common assignment command words include discuss, compare, describe, evaluate, explain, justify, review, illustrate, and ...
Describe - explain and explore the meaning or main features of something. Discuss - examine and analyse key points and possible interpretations; give arguments for and against, and draw a conclusion. Evaluate - give an opinion (with evidence) on the strength or weakness of something. More assessment instruction words and their meanings.
Argue - If an assignment asks you to make an argument, you need to take a stand on a topic and develop your claim to show why your position makes sense. There are many terms related to argument. For example, evaluate, critique, assess, and review may ask for an argument about the worth of a subject. Propose, recommend, and advise may ask for ...
Give the precise meaning of something. Show how the distinctions you make are necessary: Describe. Give a detailed account: Discuss: Investigate or examine by argument; give reasons for and against. Evaluate: Make a judgement about the value/importance/worth of something. Examine: Present in depth and investigate fully the implications. Explain
The idea of "Assessing" questions rank fairly high on Bloom's taxonomy of learning. It involves taking multiple elements as you answer the question. For example, when you have to assess something ...
Define Clearly state the meaning, and list the qualities, traits and characteristics. Describe Provide a detailed explanation about how and why something happens. Discuss Make a case for or against an argument and reach a conclusion. Point out the advantages and disadvantages. Elaborate Give more detail and provide more information on a topic.
Understanding the essay question is the first and most important step you will undertake with any assignment, as without fully understanding the task you cannot respond to it. Consider the key elements in the question e.g. Examine the role of women in Parliament since 1918, with reference to key Equality legislation and ask yourself:
examine by argument. Draw a conclusion. Evaluate Make an appraisal of the worth of something i.e. explaining the extent to which it is effective / useful / true etc. Evaluation is sometimes more subjective and contestable than some kinds of pure 'assessment'. Examine Look closely at, thinking and writing about the detail, and questioning it ...
Key words are the words in an assignment question that tell you the approaches to take when you answer. Make sure you understand the meaning of key words in an essay question, especially t ask words. As Task words are verbs that direct you and tell you how to go about answering a question, understanding the meaning helps you know exactly what ...
Interpret your assignment. Create a plan. Planning how you approach your writing will make sure that you understand the task, can manage your time, and present a researched, structured and focused assignment. Before you start writing, you need to understand what type of writing you are required to produce. For example, you might be asked to ...
Writing Associates Program. The first step in the writing process is to carefully examine the assignment. Don't underestimate the importance of spending a few minutes to think about what your professor is looking for. A well-written paper can receive a lower grade simply because it does not meet the requirements of the assignment.
Checking the meaning. Check the meaning of any words or terms within the assignment question by looking up your course notes, study guide, textbook, or dictionary. If the assignment question includes a direct quote from a particular author, then you could try to locate a copy of the source (article or paper or text).
examine: [verb] to inspect closely. to test the condition of. to inquire into carefully : investigate.
Understanding the question is the first and most important step when starting your assignments and helps to ensure that your research and writing is more focused and relevant. This means understanding both the individual words, and also the general scope of the question. A common mistake students make with their assignments is to misinterpret ...
An assignment can look pretty straightforward at first, particularly if the instructor has provided lots of information. That does not mean it will not take time and effort to complete; you may even have to learn a new skill to complete the assignment. Ask the instructor about anything you do not understand.
Typically, the word "critical" has a negative connotation. Think of words like "critique" and "criticise" and you see why. However, with essay writing, being asked to write "critically" does not necessarily mean you need to be negative. Instead, you are voicing your opinion in a logical and coherent way that is based upon ...