The following words appear frequently in essay questions. You should be familiar with their meanings so that you may answer appropriately. It is wise to underline them when you see them in a test question.
I. VERBS ASKING FOR EVERYTHING
COMMENT:
To explain, illustrate, or criticize the meaning or significance of a subject.
DESCRIBE:
To give either a detailed or a graphic account of a subject.
DISCUSS:
To investigate a subject by argument, esp. its pros and cons.
RELATE:
Show the connections between ideas or events. Provide a larger context.
REVIEW:
To survey and examine critically a subject through either summary, analysis, or criticism.
STATE:
To describe in precise terms a subject or to reproduce a definition exactly.
II. VERBS ASKING FOR MAIN POINTS
ANALYZE:
To break the subject up into the main ideas which compose it.
ENUMERATE or LIST:
To present a list of the main ideas composing the whole of the subject.
OUTLINE:
To summarize in a series of headings and sub-headings (theme, main ideas, supporting subordinate ideas). Often a two-stage outline omitting detail.
SUMMARIZE:
To make a brief, concise account of the main ideas of a theme, concept, principle, development or procedure, omitting details and examples.
TRACE:
To follow the development or history of your subject from the point of its origin.
III. VERBS ASKING FOR CERTAIN LIMITED FACTS
COMPARE:
To show the similarities and differences of two or more subjects.
CONTRAST:
To show the difference of two or more subjects.
DEFINE:
To give the meaning of a word by fitting it into a general category and then distinguishing it from closely related subjects; sometimes developed by examples and illustrations.
DEMONSTRATE:
To prove or explain by use of examples.
DIAGRAM:
To describe with graphs, sketches, etc.
EXPLAIN:
To account for by clearly stating and interpreting the details around a thing or make clear its character, causes, results, implications.
ILLUSTRATE:
To clarify by giving examples, comparisons, analogies, figures, or diagrams.
IV. VERBS ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORTED OPINION
CHOOSE/SELECT:
Generally, make a choice between one of several interpretations, explanations, etc.
CRITICIZE:
Give your judgment on the merit of a theory or opinion, the truth of the facts by discussing their source and background, or the truth, beauty, goodness of a thing; criticize doesn't necessarily mean "attack angrily."
EVALUATE:
To appraise or estimate the worth, value, usefulness, truth, beauty, goodness, etc. of something — to some extent on the basis of personal opinion.
INTERPRET:
To expound the meaning of something, to make it clear and explicit and to evaluate it in terms of your own knowledge and belief.
JUSTIFY:
To give solid grounds for your decisions or conclusions (sometimes your instructor’s decisions and conclusions). If any of these words are still unclear to you, go to your unabridged dictionary.
STEPS OF THE ESSAY STRATEGY
Start with a pre-essay sheet and organize your answer before you actually write it.
- Turn the question into a statement and write it at the top of your pre-essay sheet.
- Construct a brief outline that completes your partially completed statement. If there are three points you wish to make, these would become the three sub-topics of your outline. Sub-details may be added to clarify your points. No more than 1/4 of your time should be spent on the pre-essay outline sheet.
- Finally, write a thesis or topic sentence—depending on the length and detail of your answer. This statement should be included in a very brief introduction, and the rest of your answer should be organized so that you are discussing each of the points in the order you have listed them. Each of the items discussed needs to include the points you have listed as sub-details in your pre-essay outline.
Using these writing process strategies will improve your research papers, essay question answers, and thinking skills. Info on this page is taken from
Thrills, Spills, and Study Skills by Bradley, Burnett, Funk, and Hite-Walker