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Key Directive Words Used
in Essay Questions
by Eveyln Garabedian
Good answers to essay questions depend in part on a clear understanding of
the meanings of important directive words. Always note what a question
asks for. Be sure you have responded to the key directive words and have
included in your answer ample support or evidence when called for. The
instructor can only consider what you have written. Note how the following
significant directive words differ:
1. "Analyze" Separate or break into parts; examine and evaluate closely.
2. "Compare" Show the similarities or likenesses of qualities or
characteristics against a background of differences between two or more
events, periods, people, ideas, problems, etc.
3. "Contrast" Stress differences or dissimilarities against a background
of similarity between two or more events, period, people, ideas, problems,
etc.
4. "Criticize" Exam closely and give your opinion or judgement of the
merits and/or demerits of views mentioned; may include approval and/or
disapproval supported by convincing factual evidence; include limitation
and good points.
5. "Define" Give clear, concise, and authoritative meanings. Make sure to
give limits of the definition. Show how the thing you are defining differs
from other things in a class.
6. "Describe" Give a verbal account or word picture; give characteristics
of or relate in sequence or story form.
7. "Diagram" Give a drawing, chart, plan, or graphic answer. Label and add
a brief explanation or description.
8. "Discuss" Give pros and cons on an issue, event, person, etc. Consider
it from various points of view; dig into causes, results, and possible
implications; give details.
9. "Enumerate" List or name by number reasons, attributes, causes,
responses, items, results, advantages, etc.
10. "Explicate" Analyze in detail the meanings, relationships, purposes,
etc.
11. "Evaluate" State your opinion pro and/or con about the value of
something, its advantages, disadvantages, limitations, etc. You may
include appraisal of authorities as well.
12. "Explain" or "Interpret" Make clear or plain, usually in more simple
or familiar terms; give meaning of; give examples; make it as concrete as
possible.
13. "Justify" Give good reasons, proof, or evidence for opinions or
conclusions or decisions; present facts to support your opinion, position,
or argument; be convincing.
14. "List" As in "enumerate"; give an itemized series of concise
statements as requested.
15. "Outline" Organize a description or summary under main points and
subordinate points, omitting minor details and stressing the arrangement
or classification of things.
16. "Prove" Establish convincing support by giving factual evidence or
clear, logical reasons.
17. "Relate" Show how things are connected with each other or how one
causes another or correlates with another or is like another.
18. "Review" Exam a subject critically, analyzing and commenting on the
important statements to be made about it.
19. "State" Present the main points in brief, clear sequence, including
necessary illustrations or examples, but avoid excessive details.
20. "Summarize" Give the main points or facts in condensed form, omitting
details and illustrations.
21. "Trace" Follow the course of a movement, event, development, process,
or period from some point of origin, giving a description of the progress
or highlights.
updated 5/9/02
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