Assignment direction words

Below is an explanation of the key words commonly used in assignment questions. Do not assume
that these terms are used with exactly these meanings by academics setting essay topics. As you can
see, there are often no hard edges between many of these so called "direction words". The
explanations are intended as a guide only.. Synonyms for direction words include instruction
words, command words, task words and function words.

ACCOUNT FOR
explain something by giving reasons why it happens or why it is the way it is.

ANALYSE Identify the essential elements of an issue/process/text/argument/event and

show how they are related. Weaknesses or disadvantages may come to light in
this process.
Also consider the nature of something by identifying the elements/parts and
showing how they are related. Describe, discuss and give reasons for what you
find. Analysing must be done in a methodical and logical way.
ARGUE Present the case for and/or against a particular proposition. Usually one
presents a case defending a position. Make sure you state your position and
provide reasons for your position plus evidence for each of your reasons.
ASSESS use criteria to measure the value or success of something. Be sure of your facts
and make your argument strong.
CLASSIFY carefully consider the items that you have to discuss and group them together
logically. You do this to (and justify) show your understanding of the
similarities and differences between the items. You usually need to explain
your reasons for grouping the items in a particular way.
COMMENT ON Point out the important features, criticise. Start by identifying the important
points and writing about them. Neglecting crucial points in favour of minor
points loses marks.
COMPARE Identify characteristics or qualities that resemble each other. Emphasise
similarities and also mention differences where appropriate.
CONTRAST Stress the dissimilarities and differences between concepts, ideas, qualities,
events, problems, other writers findings, things, events, or theories
CONSIDER think very carefully about the issue and present your argument logically. Avoid
putting ideas randomly into your writing.
CRITICISE Express your judgement about the merit or truth of the factors or views
mentioned. Draw conclusions, discussing both the limitations and the strong
points. Write about the strengths and weaknesses of something. Make a
judgement about whether there are more strengths or weaknesses.
CRITICALLY Often, rather than asking you to criticise, assignments add critically to
another direction word: critically analyse, critically examine, etc. This
means analysing, examining etc. in a questioning way: How does this work?
Why is it like this? What are its strengths and weaknesses?
DEFINE Provide concise, clear, and authoritative meanings. Give the limits of the
definition, but omit detailed explanations. Show how the item defined differs
from items in other classes. Refer to how experts in the field use the term (not
a simple dictionary definition). Say whether you are using one definition (and
why you chose it over others) or whether you are combining features from two
or more definitions. Give the limits of the definition and show how it differs
from items in other classes.
DIFFERENTIATE / Focus on the fine differences between two or more things. You may mention
DISTINGUISH similarities briefly, but this is about what makes things different from each
BETWEEN other and why the difference is important.
DESCRIBE Recount, characterise, outline, and relate in sequence. Write about the
features of something in a logical manner. Do not give your opinion or explain
why it is the way it is.
DIAGRAM A drawing, chart, plan, or graph. Diagrams should be labelled and there should
be an accompanying explanation.
DISCUSS Examine, analyse carefully, and give reasons for and against. Be complete and
give details, usually with a view to assessing how satisfactory something is. You
may write about an issue from two or more viewpoints and give balanced
support and examples for each viewpoint. Then make a judgement about how
satisfactory each viewpoint is based on the evidence you gave. Be sure to
cover all aspects why, how, when, where, who etc
EVALUATE Carefully appraise in relation to some standard, referring to advantages,
(CRITICALLY) limitations, and costs and benefits as appropriate; attempt to form a
judgement. Judge the importance or qualities of something in relation to some
standard or set of criteria. You need to give strong evidence for your
judgement. You need to write about fine details and weigh relative
importance.
EXAMINE/ Investigate critically, appraise a subject in detail. You will investigate an issue in
EXPLORE detail in a logical manner.
EXPLAIN Clarify, interpret, and elaborate on the material presented. Give reasons for
differences of opinion or results, and try to analyse causes. You need to
explore a variety of reasons for something. Make sure you give enough detail
to clarify, to interpret or to analyse causes as relevant.
ILLUSTRATE Use a concrete example, diagram, or figure to explain or clarify a problem.
INDICATE Identify, then focus attention so as to clarify.
JUSTIFY Prove or give reasons for conclusions or decisions.
OUTLINE Present the essential features, showing main points and subordinate points.
Omit minor details. Stress the arrangement or classification of things. Present
the main features and any important subordinate points- omit minor details.
Stress the arrangement or classification.
REVIEW Examine a subject critically, analysing and commenting on the important or
controversial statements.
 STATE (LIST) Present the main points in a brief and clear sequence, usually omitting details
or examples, without explanation.
SUMMARISE Give the main points or facts in condensed form. Omit details, examples or
explanations.
TO WHAT Discuss an issue and evaluate what you find. You will almost certainly favour
EXTENT? one side of the issue and must give reasons why. Total agreement or
disagreement or balancing both (or all) sides equally- is highly unlikely.
TRACE THIS implies writing about the main points of the history/chronology of something.
Your selection of the main points is crucial.