Much of your writing and formal speaking will be prompted by an assignment, an oral presentation, an essay or exam question. Students often do worse than they should in examinations or when preparing assignments or oral presentations in English in the UK, not because their writing or speaking skills are weak or because their knowledge of the subject matter is insufficient, but because they have not fully understood what they have been asked to do. To score high marks in an examination or an assignmnet, it is important to fully understand what a question or brief means and how it should be answered.
In order to understand the question it is useful to analyse the questions and to search for certain components. The following technique is very useful (Swales, 1982).
Most assignment titles or examination questions contain the following components:
Some titles also contain the following components:
To analyse the title, it is useful to follow the following steps:
Here is a list of the most common assignment instruction key-words with an explanation for each.
Note: The explanations given for these words can be a rough guide only. You must always go by the total meaning of the title or question. Read the question carefully: do not jump to conclusions about what is required on the basis of these words only.
- Account for
- requires an answer that gives the reasons for the subject of the question.
- Analyse
- requires an answer that takes apart an idea, concept or statement in order to consider all the factors it consists of. Answers of this type should be very methodical and logically organised.
- Compare
- requires an answer that sets items side by side and shows their similarities and differences. A balanced (fair, objective) answer is expected.
- Consider
- requires an answer in which the students describe and give their thoughts on the subject.
- Contrast
- requires an answer that points out only the differences between two items.
- Criticise
- requires an answer that points out mistakes or weaknesses, and that also indicates any favourable aspects of the subject of the question. It requires a balanced answer.
- Define
- requires an answer that explains the precise meaning of a concep. A definition answer will include a definition, probably expanded.
- Describe
- requires an answer that says what something is like, how it works and so on.
- Discuss
- requires an answer that explains an item or concept, and then gives details about it with supportive information, examples, points for and against, and explanations for the facts put forward. It is important to give both sides of an argument and come to a conclusion.
- Elucidate
- requires an answer that explains what something means, makes it clear (lucid).
- Evaluate/Assess
- require an answer that decides and explains how great, valuable or important something is. The judgement should be backed by a discussion of the evidence or reasoning involved.
- Explain
- requires an answer that offers a rather detailed and exact explanation of an idea or principle, or a set of reasons for a situation or attitude.
- Explore
- requires an answer that examines the subject thoroughly and considers it from a variety of viewpoints.
- Illustrate
- requires an answer that consists mainly of examples to demonstrate or prove the subject of the question. It is often added to another instruction.
- Justify
- requires an answer that gives only the reasons for a position or argument. Answer the main objections likely to be made of them. Note, however, that the proposition to be argued may be a negative one (e.g. Justify the abolition of the death penalty.)
- Prove/Disprove
- both of these require answers that demonstrate the logical arguments and/or evidence connected with a proposition prove requires the 'pro' points, and disprove requires the 'contra' points.
- State
- requires an answer that expresses the relevant points briefly and clearly without lengthy discussion or minor details.
- Summarise/Outline
- require an answer that contains a summary of all the available information about a subject, i.e. only the main points and not the details should be included. Questions of this type often require short answers.
- Trace
- is found most frequently in historical questions (but not only in History courses); it requires the statement and brief description in logical or chronological order of the stages (steps) in the development of e.g. a theory, a person's life, a process, etc.
- To what extent is X true?
- requires an answer that discusses and explains in what ways X is true and in what ways X is not true.
Sometimes you may find several different instruction words combined innto one composite question. For example:
Define financial accounting. Compare and contrast the Anglo-American and Continental approaches to financial accounting. Explain the role that the invididual accountants play in each approach.
Some other important words used in questions.
- concept
- an important idea
- concise
- short, brief
- in the context of
- referring to, inside the subject of
- criteria
- what standards you would expect; what questions you would expect to be answered
- deduction
- the conclusion or generalisation you come to after looking carefully at all the facts
- factor(s)
- the circumstances bringing about a result
- function
- what something does its purpose or activities
- implications
- results that are not obvious, long term, suggested results
- limitations
- explain where something is not useful or not relevant
- with/by reference to
- make sure you write about the following subject
- in relation to
- only a certain part of the first topic is needed
- role
- what part something plays, how it works, especially in co-operation with others
- scope
- the area where something acts or has influence
- significance
- meaning and importance
- valid/validity
- is there evidence and are there facts to prove the statement?
In planning the answer, the instruction decides the text-type (discussion,
explanation, etc.); the topic (with its restriction or expansion
if there is one) determines the overall range of the subject matter but the
aspect determines the particular content; viewpoint dictates which
arguments, for or against, to use. The interaction between instruction and
aspect will lead to decisions about the organisation of the essay.
See Organising the answer
for more information on essay organisation.
Analyse the example questions above.
Press this if you want to check your answers: