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