22 Essay Question Words You Must Understand to Prepare a Well ...
‘Explain’ questions expect you to basically clarify a topic. When answering such questions, it helps to imagine you are writing for someone who knows absolutely nothing of the subject. And remember two things. To provide as much detail as possible, and to give definitions for any jargon or key terms when used.
Understanding instruction words in academic essay titles
Depending on the context, these words may also suggest that you need to make the possible implications clear as well. For example: 'Explain X and its importance for Y'. Comment on, criticise, evaluate, critically evaluate, assess: Judge the value of something. But first, analyse, describe and explain.
Glossary of Task Words | UNSW Current Students
Similar to 'explain' (see above), but probably asking for the quoting of specific examples or statistics or possibly the drawing of maps, graphs, sketches etc. Interpret: Clarify something or 'explain' (see above), perhaps indicating how the thing relates to some other thing or perspective. Justify
Essays: Task Words | Student Services - University of Portsmouth
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.
Understanding your assignment questions: A short guide
It is really important to understand the directive or task word used in your assignment. ... 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. ... Explain: Offer a detailed and exact ...
Understanding key words in writing assignments
Analysis words. These words ask you to argue a point, develop an interpretation, or make an evaluation using evidence: Agree or Disagree: Give your opinion about a topic and support it with evidence from appropriate sources. Analyze: Break down topic into parts and explain how the parts relate to each other and the topic. Apply: Use concepts or theories in order to explain a problem, issue ...
Understanding Assignments - The Writing Center
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.
Understand Your Assignment Task | Handy Guide - Open Polytechnic
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 ...
Key words in Assignment Briefs - Wigan and Leigh College
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
How to Write and Answer an ‘Explain’ Essay Question
Answering an ‘explain’ question addresses these deeper dimensions. Hence, being adept at writing ‘explain’ essays ensures you can articulate the nuances that define sociological inquiry. Research and Planning. Before you begin the writing process, it is essential to invest time in thorough research and structured planning.
Meanings of instructional words - Learning Lab - RMIT University
The first step of an assignment is to read the instructions carefully to understand what is required. However, some words in the instructions can be difficult to understand. This page provides examples of common instructional words and explains their meanings. Sample assignment instructions and word meanings Read the sample assignment instructions and the definitions of
Understanding an assignment topic - RMIT
Assignments may require you to: • describe or give information about a topic or idea • how or explain the relationship between topics or ideas • describe or explain a process • argue a point of view • compare and evaluate different points of view A good understanding of the meaning of instructional words is vital.
Understanding An Assignment - UMass Boston
Explain – To give information about a topic, including what it is and how and why it occurs. An example of this may be explaining the migration patterns of monarch butterflies for an assignment. Many assignment prompts will include explanation even if that is not the main goal of the assignment.
Understanding Writing Assignments - The University Writing Center
Place a subject into a category with similar items. Defend or explain how you arrived at that category and how one category differs from another. Define. Provide the meaning of a term or concept by giving examples, synonyms, antonyms (opposites), etymology (word history), or dictionary definitions. Explain the limits of the definition. Describe.
Assessment instruction words - Open Polytechnic
Explain – Clarify or make clear the meaning or significance of something. Give the reasons, causes, and why or how something has developed or occurred. Illustrate – Explain or clarify something using a diagram, figure or concrete example. Interpret – Show what you believe is the meaning or significance of something.
Understanding Assignments - uaht.edu
A summary may be required if the assignment includes words such as describe, explain, depict, and illustrate. 2. 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 the Assignment – About Writing: A Guide
There are four kinds of analysis you need to do in order to fully understand an assignment: determining the purpose of the assignment, understanding how to answer an assignment’s questions, recognizing implied questions in the assignment, and recognizing the disciplinary expectations of the assignment. Always make sure you fully understand an assignment before you start writing!
Academic Writing Skills Guide: Understanding Assignments
Understanding Assignments. 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. ... Backed by evidence, explain the meaning and significance of it, how or why it is important, giving your own judgement. Perhaps indicate how it ...
Common Assignment Terminology | SASS
To determine what you are being asked to do, it is helpful to start with the terminology used in the assignment description. Analyze (or outline, or explain) break the topic down into key elements and details. identify and describe causes, key factors or features, possible results, and relationships among these elements