This document provides definitions for common instruction words found in assignment tasks. It explains terms such as "analyze", "argue", "compare", "contrast", "criticize", "define", "demonstrate", "describe", "determine", "discuss", "evaluate", "examine", "explain", "identify", "illustrate", "interpret", "justify", "outline", "prove", "review", "state", "summarize", "synthesize", and "trace", clarifying what each word means in the context of instructional tasks.
This document provides definitions for common instruction words found in assignment tasks. It explains terms such as "analyze", "argue", "compare", "contrast", "criticize", "define", "demonstrate", "describe", "determine", "discuss", "evaluate", "examine", "explain", "identify", "illustrate", "interpret", "justify", "outline", "prove", "review", "state", "summarize", "synthesize", and "trace", clarifying what each word means in the context of instructional tasks.
This document provides definitions for common instruction words found in assignment tasks. It explains terms such as "analyze", "argue", "compare", "contrast", "criticize", "define", "demonstrate", "describe", "determine", "discuss", "evaluate", "examine", "explain", "identify", "illustrate", "interpret", "justify", "outline", "prove", "review", "state", "summarize", "synthesize", and "trace", clarifying what each word means in the context of instructional tasks.
This document provides definitions for common instruction words found in assignment tasks. It explains terms such as "analyze", "argue", "compare", "contrast", "criticize", "define", "demonstrate", "describe", "determine", "discuss", "evaluate", "examine", "explain", "identify", "illustrate", "interpret", "justify", "outline", "prove", "review", "state", "summarize", "synthesize", and "trace", clarifying what each word means in the context of instructional tasks.
This table explains the meaning of some of the most common instruction words found in assignment tasks.
Instruction word Meaning
Account for Give reasons for; explain (note: give an account of; describe).
Break the information into constituent parts; examine the
Analyse relationship between the parts; question the information.
Put the case for or against a view or idea giving evidence for your Argue claims/reasons for or against; attempt to influence the reader to accept your view.
Look at two or more viewpoints or pieces of information; give each
Balance equal attention; look at good and bad points; take into account many aspects and give an appropriate weighting to those aspects.
Identify what is good and bad about the information and why; Be critical probe, question, identify inaccuracies or shortcomings in the information; estimate the value of the material.
Identify the components of an issue/topic/problem/; make the
Clarify meaning plain; remove misunderstandings.
Look for similarities and differences between; perhaps conclude
Compare which is preferable; implies evaluation.
Contrast Bring out the differences.
Give your judgement on theories or opinions or facts and back this
Criticise by discussing evidence or reasoning involved.
Give the precise meaning. Examine the different possible or often
Define used definitions.
Adapted from Instruction words in Essay Questions
Licence: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 My Learning Essentials
Demonstrate Show clearly by giving proof or evidence.
Describe Give a detailed, full account of the topic.
Determine Find out something; calculate.
Investigate or examine by argument; debate; give reason for and
Discuss against; examine the implications of the topic.
Estimate Calculate; judge; predict.
Evaluate/weigh Appraise the worth of something in the light of its truth or
up usefulness; assess and explain.
Examine Look at carefully; consider.
Explain Make plain and clear; give reasons for.
Provide evidence from your own work or that of others which could Give evidence be checked by a third party to prove/ justify what you say.
Identify Point out and describe.
Identify patterns/changes/ movements in certain directions (e.g.
Identify trends over time or across topics/ subjects).
Illustrate Explain, clarify, make clear by the use of concrete examples.
Expound the meaning; make clear and explicit, giving your own Interpret judgement.
Show adequate grounds for decisions, a particular view or
Justify conclusions and answer main objections likely to be made to them.
Give a short description of the main points; give the main features Outline or general principles; emphasise the structure, leaving out minor details.
Prove Show that something is true or certain; provide strong evidence
Adapted from Instruction words in Essay Questions
Licence: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 My Learning Essentials
(and examples) for.
Make a survey examining the subject carefully; similar to
Review summarise and evaluate.
State Present in a brief, clear form.
Give a concise account of the chief points of a matter, removing
Summarise unnecessary detail.
Bring elements together to make a complex whole, draw together
Synthesise or integrate issues (e.g. theories or models can be created by synthesising a number of elements).
Trace Follow the development of topic from its origin.
