This document defines and explains common process words that are often used in essay titles. It provides definitions for words like analyze, argue, assess, compare, contrast, criticize, define, describe, discuss, evaluate, examine, explain, identify, illustrate, justify, list, outline, prove, reconcile, review, summarize, and trace. It advises the reader to carefully consider the context of the entire essay question and consult a tutor if unsure about interpreting any part of the question.
This document defines and explains common process words that are often used in essay titles. It provides definitions for words like analyze, argue, assess, compare, contrast, criticize, define, describe, discuss, evaluate, examine, explain, identify, illustrate, justify, list, outline, prove, reconcile, review, summarize, and trace. It advises the reader to carefully consider the context of the entire essay question and consult a tutor if unsure about interpreting any part of the question.
This document defines and explains common process words that are often used in essay titles. It provides definitions for words like analyze, argue, assess, compare, contrast, criticize, define, describe, discuss, evaluate, examine, explain, identify, illustrate, justify, list, outline, prove, reconcile, review, summarize, and trace. It advises the reader to carefully consider the context of the entire essay question and consult a tutor if unsure about interpreting any part of the question.
This document defines and explains common process words that are often used in essay titles. It provides definitions for words like analyze, argue, assess, compare, contrast, criticize, define, describe, discuss, evaluate, examine, explain, identify, illustrate, justify, list, outline, prove, reconcile, review, summarize, and trace. It advises the reader to carefully consider the context of the entire essay question and consult a tutor if unsure about interpreting any part of the question.
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How to succeed@writingacademically
Common Process Words and Their Definitions
The following are the most common process words and phrases that you may encounter in your essay titles. They may appear singly or in combination. Whilst the definitions given are generally accepted, care should be taken to read them in the context of the question as a whole. Account for
Explain, clarify, give reasons for.
Analyse
Resolve into its component parts. Examine critically or in fine
detail.
Argue
Make a case for or against a given point of view. The points raised must be supported with appropriate evidence.
Assess
Appraise, consider, weigh up, or determine the value of (see
Evaluate)
Compare
Look for the similarities and differences between items specified
in the question. You may then be required to reach conclusions as to the relative merits of each and justify your opinion with reference to some specific point.
Contrast
Set two or more items (opinions, philosophies, methods of
production etc.) in opposition to each other in order to sharply illustrate the differences.
Compare and Contrast
Combines both of the above in order to establish common ground
between various components whilst also showing how they differ.
Criticise
Requires you to make a judgement (backed up by reasoned
argument) of the relative merits of theories, opinions or facts. It will probably require you to outline each case accurately, and in reasonable detail, as the basis from which to draw your conclusions.
Define
State the precise meaning of a word or phrase. Often asked where
there is more than one possible or commonly used definition. It then falls upon you to provide clarification of the options and make a choice of the most valid definition.
Describe
Give a detailed account of ... Usually factual, as in recording the
steps of an experiment or other time series event.
Discuss
Explain the background, then draw out the various viewpoints that may pertain to the issue and highlight any implications.
Differentiate between
Look for the differences between ... Can be quite subtle.
Evaluate
Make a judgement of the worth/truth/effectiveness/validity of
something.
(CC BY NC SA 3.0), sol
Examine the argument
Look in detail at a particular line of argument and determine its
validity.
Explain /How far
Also Give details about how and why ..., Clarify the position of...., To what extent ... Generally requires you to look at the evidence or argument presented and to make a value judgement.
Identify
Requires you to extract the key points of an argument or
hypothesis. You will need to provide a reasoned argument to support your choice which outlines the criteria you used in so doing.
Illustrate
Clarify or make explicit the position. Requires you to demonstrate
your understanding of the issue or principle by carefully chosen examples. May require the use of charts, tables or graphs.
Justify
Provide evidence to support the position, by example or reasoned
argument.
List
Used alone would require no more than a note-form answer,
without any description or explanation. However this is rarely the case. "List" is normally used in conjunction with another process words. "List ... and indicate/describe/evaluate ..."
Outline
Indicate the main features of the topic or sequence of events,
possibly setting them within the structure or framework to show how they relate.
Prove
Demonstrate the truth of something by offering irrefutable
evidence and/or a logical sequence of statements leading from accepted evidence to conclusion.
Reconcile
Show how two apparently opposed or mutually exclusive ideas or
propositions can be seen to be similar in important respects, if not identical.
Review
Survey a topic, with the emphasis on "assess" rather than
"describe".
Summarise
State the main features of an argument, omitting all superfluous
detail and side issues.
Trace
Identify the connection between one thing and another, either in
a developmental sense over a period of time, or else in a cause and effect sense. May imply both "describe" and "explain" (see above).
Remember, the interpretation of the question as a whole is your responsibility and you will be marked on what you have written. Therefore, if you are in any doubt about the wording of the question or the interpretation of any part of it, consult your tutor before you begin. However, it may be that the interpretation that you place upon the wording is part of the assignment. If this is the case begin your assignment by setting out your parameters and definitions.:003ss
