Supervisor comment: 'Understand and act upon instructions within the question'
You may previously have been encouraged to focus on the key verbs in an essay question. This is useful advice as there are important differences, for example, between 'discuss' and 'describe'; between 'evaluate' and 'illustrate'.
Activity
Familiarise yourself with the subject-specific glossary below and ask your supervisor/Director of Studies if you are unsure how to interpret some of the terms. Review the essays you have produced so far; decide whether you have interpreted each question correctly.
|
Word or phrase |
Definition |
|
Account for |
Give reasons for; give evidence to support (Do not confuse this with ‘give an account of’). |
|
Analyse |
Break down into component parts and explain how these are related to each other. |
|
Appraise |
Assess, evaluate, and find out the value of. |
|
Assess |
Estimate the importance or value of, judge. |
|
Compare |
Examine similarities and differences, perhaps draw a conclusion about which is preferable. |
|
Consider |
Take into account, weigh up the advantages/disadvantages. |
|
Contrast |
Examine the differences between and provide explanations. |
|
Criticise |
Give your judgement about the merit or demerit of theories, of opinions, or about the truth or falsehood of facts. |
|
Support |
Your judgement with evidence. |
|
Define |
Give the precise meaning of a word or phrase. In some cases, it may be necessary to examine different possible definitions. |
|
Describe |
Give a detailed account; explain the main characteristics. |
|
Discuss |
Investigate and/or examine in detail, sift the argument or debate. Give reasons for and against. |
|
Explain |
Provide details about how something happens. |
|
Identify |
Indicate the main features of a situation, argument. |
|
Illustrate |
Make clear by using concrete examples. |
|
Justify |
Show adequate grounds for decisions or conclusions. |
|
Outline |
Describe the main features or general principles of a subject. |
|
Review |
Make a survey of, examining the subject carefully. |