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Common Words Used In Essay Questions
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When reading a test question it is very important to understand exactly
what your professor is asking, and to provide what is called for!
- Compare
When you are asked to compare, you should examine qualities, or characteristics, in order to discover resemblances. The term compare with implies that you are to emphasize similarities, although differences may be mentioned.
- Contrast
When you are instructed to contrast, you should stress dissimilarities, differences, or unlikeness of associated things, qualities, events or problems.
- Criticize
In a criticism you should express your judgment
with respect to the correctness or merit of the factors under
consideration. You are expected to give the results of your own
analysis and to discuss both limitations and good points.
- Define
Definitions call for concise, clear, authoritative meanings.
In such statements, details are seldom required, but boundaries or
limitations of the definitions should be briefly cited. You must keep
in mind the subject to which the item being defined belongs, and
whatever differentiates it in this particular class from all other
classes.
- Discuss
The term discuss,
which appears often in essay questions, directs you to examine, analyze
carefully, and present considerations pro and con regarding the
problems or items involved. This type of question calls for a complete
and detailed answer.
- Enumerate
The word enumerate specifies a list or outline form of reply. In such questions you should recount, one by one, in concise form, the points required.
- Evaluate
In
an evaluation question you are expected to present a careful appraisal,
stressing both advantages and limitations. Evaluation implies
authoritative and, to a lesser degree, personal appraisal.
- Explain
In explanatory answers it imperative that you clarify, elucidate, and interpret
the material you present. In such an answer it is best to state the
"how" and "why" reconcile any differences in opinion or experimental
results and, where possible, state causes. The aim is to make plain the
conditions which give rise to whatever you are examining.
- Illustrate
A
question which asks you to illustrate usually requires you to explain
or clarify your answer to the problem by presenting a figure, diagram,
or concrete example.
- Interpret
An
interpretation question is similar to one requiring explanation. You
are expected to translate, exemplify; solve or comment upon the subject
and usually give your judgement or reaction to the problem.
- Justify
When you are instructed to justify your answer, you must prove, or show grounds for decisions. In such an answer, evidence should be presented in convincing form.
- List
Listing is similar to enumeration. You are expected in such questions to present on itemized series or a tabulation. Such answers should always be concise.
- Outline
An outline answer is organized description.
You should give main points and essential supplementary materials, omit
minor details, and present the information in a systematic arrangement
or classification.
- Prove
A question which requires proof is one which demands confirmation or verification.
In such discussions you should establish something with certainty, by
evaluating and citing experimental evidence, or by logical reasoning,
with sufficient example.
- Relate
In a question which asks you to show the relationship or to relate your answer should emphasize connection and associations, usually in descriptive form.
- Review
A review usually specifies a critical examination.
You should analyze and comment briefly, in organized sequence, upon the
major points of the problem. Sometimes, however, a review question
simply asks for a list.
- State
In
questions which direct you to specify, give state, or present, you are
called upon to express the high points in brief, clear language.
- Summarize
When
you are asked to summarize or present a summary, you should give in
condensed form the main points or facts. All details, illustration, and
elaboration are to be omitted.
- Trace
When
a question asks you to trace a course of events, you are to give a
description of progress, historical sequence, or development from the
point of origin. Such questions may call for probing or for deductions.
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