The document provides definitions and guidelines for various academic terms such as analyze, compare, contrast, and evaluate. Each term includes a brief explanation of its meaning and the expected approach for addressing it in academic work. The focus is on critical thinking and clarity in presenting ideas and arguments.
The document provides definitions and guidelines for various academic terms such as analyze, compare, contrast, and evaluate. Each term includes a brief explanation of its meaning and the expected approach for addressing it in academic work. The focus is on critical thinking and clarity in presenting ideas and arguments.
The document provides definitions and guidelines for various academic terms such as analyze, compare, contrast, and evaluate. Each term includes a brief explanation of its meaning and the expected approach for addressing it in academic work. The focus is on critical thinking and clarity in presenting ideas and arguments.
The document provides definitions and guidelines for various academic terms such as analyze, compare, contrast, and evaluate. Each term includes a brief explanation of its meaning and the expected approach for addressing it in academic work. The focus is on critical thinking and clarity in presenting ideas and arguments.
Analyse Separate or break up something into its component parts so that you
discover its nature proportion, function, relationship, etc.
Comment Make critical observations, even if they are fairly open-ended. Your texts, learning guide, lecture and discussion notes should provide sufficient guidelines and your own commonsense should prevail.
Compare Find similarities and differences between two or more ideas, events, interpretations, etc. Ensure you understand exactly what you are being asked to compare.
Contrast Find similarities and differences between two or more ideas, events, interpretations etc. Focus on the differences.
Critical Examine the topic or argument in terms of its strengths and weaknesses. Analysis
Criticise Express your judgements regarding the correctness or merit of the factors being considered. Discuss both strong and weak points and give the results of your own analysis. Student insights are expected and arguments must be justified.
Define Provide concise, clear, authoritative meanings. In such statements, details
are not necessarily required, but briefly cite the boundaries or limitations of the definition. Remeber the 'class' to which a things belongs and whatever differentiates the particular object from all others in that class.
Describe Recall facts, processes or events. You are not asked to explain or interpret. Try to provide a thorough description, emphasising the most important points.
Diagram Present a drawing, chart, plan or graphic representation in your answer.
Generally, you are also expectedto label the diagram and a brief explanation or description may be required.
Discuss Present a point of view. This is likely to need both description and interpretation. Your opinion must be supported by carefully chosen and authoritative evidence. Enumerate Provide a list or outline form of reply. In such questions you should recount, one by one, but concisely,the points required.
Evaluate Present a judgement of an issue by stressing both strengths and
advantages, and weaknesses andlimitations. The emphasis is on assessing the value, worth or relevance of the matter under scrutinty.
Explain Your main focus should be on the 'why' of a particular issue, or on the 'how' with the aim of clarifyingreasons, causes and effects. You are being tested on your capacity to think critically, to exercise perceptionand discernment.
Illustrate This asks for an explanation; you may clarify your answer to a problem by presenting a figure, picture,diagram or concrete example.
Interpret Explain the meaning of something and give your own judgement of the situation.
List Give an itemised series or tabulation; such answers should be concise.
Outline This asks for an organised description. Give the main points and essential supplementary materials, but omit minor details. Present the information in a systematic arrangement or classification.
Prove To conform or verify. You should establish something with certainty by
evaluating and citing experimental evidence, or by logical reasoning.
Relate When showing relationships, your answer should emphasise connection
and associations in a descriptive manner.
Review Re-examine, analyse and comment briefly (in an organised sequence) on
the major points of an issue.
State Express the high points in brief and clear narrative form. Details, and usually illustrations or examples, may be omitted.
Summarise Provide a brief statement or an account covering the main points; omit details. Trace Give the development, process or history of a thing, event or idea, especially by proceeding from the latest to the earliest evidence.
