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    Definitions of Directive and Task Words - 1

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    kamran
    The document defines and describes common academic directive words used to frame tasks. It explains that words like "research" and "define" focus on investigating and clarifying terms or concepts, while words like "describe" and "summarize" involve outlining key characteristics or points. It also outlines that words such as "explain", "analyze", and "discuss" require in-depth understanding and consideration of different perspectives supported by evidence. Finally, it notes words like "argue", "evaluate", and "justify" involve making claims and assessing concepts using logical reasoning and credible sources.

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    Definitions of Directive and Task Words - 1

    Uploaded by

    kamran
    29 views2 pages
    The document defines and describes common academic directive words used to frame tasks. It explains that words like "research" and "define" focus on investigating and clarifying terms or concepts, while words like "describe" and "summarize" involve outlining key characteristics or points. It also outlines that words such as "explain", "analyze", and "discuss" require in-depth understanding and consideration of different perspectives supported by evidence. Finally, it notes words like "argue", "evaluate", and "justify" involve making claims and assessing concepts using logical reasoning and credible sources.

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    Definitions of Directive and Task Words _1

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    The document defines and describes common academic directive words used to frame tasks. It explains that words like "research" and "define" focus on investigating and clarifying terms or concepts, while words like "describe" and "summarize" involve outlining key characteristics or points. It also outlines that words such as "explain", "analyze", and "discuss" require in-depth understanding and consideration of different perspectives supported by evidence. Finally, it notes words like "argue", "evaluate", and "justify" involve making claims and assessing concepts using logical reasoning and credible sources.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    29 views2 pages

    Definitions of Directive and Task Words - 1

    Uploaded by

    kamran
    The document defines and describes common academic directive words used to frame tasks. It explains that words like "research" and "define" focus on investigating and clarifying terms or concepts, while words like "describe" and "summarize" involve outlining key characteristics or points. It also outlines that words such as "explain", "analyze", and "discuss" require in-depth understanding and consideration of different perspectives supported by evidence. Finally, it notes words like "argue", "evaluate", and "justify" involve making claims and assessing concepts using logical reasoning and credible sources.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Understanding task directive words in the academic context

    Research:

    To investigate a topic in order to establish facts, support claims and to reach new conclusions.
    Generally, this involves using evidence from reliable and academic sources.

    Define:

    To provide a concise, clear meaning of a term or concept, generally taking this information
    from a reputable source and pointing out if different meanings for this term are found in
    different sources.

    Describe:

    To point out the main characteristics or features of something, or to outline the main events.

    Summarise:

    To give a concise account of the main points by omitting details or examples.

    Examine:

    To look carefully at a topic, concept or subject. To gain an in-depth understanding of


    something by taking note of the detail and providing explanations.

    Explain:

    To make an idea, concept or situation clear by providing the most relevant facts and details.
    This explanation would increase understanding of this concept and provide the reasons for a
    situation using support from evidence.

    Analyse:

    To take apart a concept, statement or question in order to look at the elements and consider
    how they relate as a whole. This concept is examined in detail and the response is logically
    organised.

    Discuss:

    To explain the most important features of a statement, topic or concept, and to give details
    about it with supporting information, examples, points for and against, and to consider
    implications and explanations of ideas taken points of view from different sources. This may
    require several paragraphs where the write develops a position that must be supported by
    academic evidence.

    (Adapted from California Polytechnic State University 2018; Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2018; University of
    Wollongong Australia 2018).
    Argue:

    To provide a range of reasons and evidence in support of a position taken in response to a


    statement, question or task. Generally, this response aims to persuade others about the
    strength of the position or point of view presented using justification, explanation and evidence
    from reliable sources.

    Critically (to critique):

    Often used in front of other directive words, it means to think about the arguments for and
    against something, to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence and provide a
    balanced response reflecting the overall judgment. It does not mean to criticize without reason.

    Evaluate:

    To assess the worth, importance or usefulness of something. Generally, this is done by


    applying critical thinking, logical reasoning and by using evidence.

    To what extent:

    To consider how far something is true, or contributes to a final outcome. Consider also ways in
    which the statement or claim is not true. The answer is usually somewhere between
    ‘completely’ and ‘not at all’.

    Support:

    To provide evidence or reasons for a claims and stated opinions. Generally, this is done using
    evidence from reliable and academic sources.

    Justify:

    To give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is being claimed. This
    involves providing valid reasons from credible sources to support a particular interpretation or
    conclusion.

    Synthesise:

    To combine two or more ideas or perspectives about something to reach an informed


    understanding or position on that concept. Generally, this involves presenting more than one
    idea from a source to support your interpretation of ideas presented in support of your opinion.

    Don’t forget: Cross-check your task analysis against the course outline, task description and
    assessment rubric (marking criteria).

    (Adapted from California Polytechnic State University 2018; Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 2018; University of
    Wollongong Australia 2018).

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