It is important to read your academic tasks carefully so that key words are identified. These words will direct the approach you must take to complete your assigned task. Become familiar with these terms and your understanding of set tasks increases.

A number of the most commonly used Directive Words and their meanings are listed below.

Account for

To give reasons for; to explain why something happens

Analyse

To examine in very close detail; to identify important points and chief features

Argue

To present the case for and/or against a particular proposition

Assess

To weigh something up and to consider how valuable it may be

Comment on

To identify and to write about the main issues, giving your reactions based upon what you have read or heard in lectures. Avoid purely personal opinion

Compare

To show how two or more things are similar; to indicate the relevance or consequences of these similarities

Describe

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

Distinguish

To bring out the differences between two items.

Enumerate

To list or specify and describe.

Evaluate

Assess the worth, importance or usefulness of something, using evidence. There will probably be cases to be made both for and against.

Explain

To clearly express why something happens, or why something is the way it is.

Relate

To show similarities and connections between two or more things

Summarise

To give a concise account of the main points only, omitting details or examples

Trace

To follow the order of different stages in an event or process

Verify

To check out and report on the accuracy of something

Define

To give the exact meaning of; where relevant, to show that you understand why the definition may be problematic

Explore

To examine thoroughly from different viewpoints

Interpret

To give the meaning and relevance of information presented

Justify

To give evidence which supports an argument or idea; show why decisions or conclusions were made, considering objections that others might make

Narrate

To concentrate on saying what happened, telling it as a story

Outline

To give only the main points, showing the main structure

Prove

To demonstrate truth or falsity by presenting evidence

Discuss

To write about the most important aspects of (probably including criticism); to give arguments for and against; to consider the implications of

Contrast

To set two or more items or arguments in opposition so as to draw out differences; to indicate whether the differences are significant. If appropriate, give reasons why one item or argument may be preferable

Critique

To give your judgement about the merit of theories or opinions about the truth of facts, and back up your judgement by a discussion of the evidence; to show the good and bad points of something, looking at any implications.

Examine

To look at a subject in depth, taking note of the detail and, if appropriate, consider the implications.

Review

To make a survey of; examining the subject critically

State

To give the main features in very clear English (almost like a simple list but written in full sentences)

Illustrate

To make something very clear and explicit by providing examples or evidence

To what extent

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

Critically evaluate

To weigh arguments for and against something, assessing the strength of the evidence on both sides. Use criteria to guide your assessment of which opinions, theories, models or items are preferable