Understanding Key words in essay questions
Most teachers will tell you that studying and knowing the material is very important, but knowing your "stuff" won't help you if you don't understand what the question is asking. Is the question asking you to "evaluate" or "analyze," "compare" or "contrast," "explain" or "describe"? Understanding these key terms can make the difference between scoring a good grade and a bad one.
In most cases, an essay question will tell you exactly how to approach and develop the answer. Below is a list of common key terms used to frame essay questions. Familiarize yourself with this list and you'll always know what a question is asking.
Analyze
To explain, step by step or point by point while writing. Pay attention to who, what, where, when, why, and how in the answer. Include strengths, weaknesses, pros and cons, research for and against.
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compare And contrast
To stress the similarities and differences between objects, concepts, or ideas in order to uncover a significant connection. If you are asked to compare, focus on the similarities; if asked to contrast, focus on the differences. If asked to compare and contrast, do BOTH. When you compare and/or contrast, you are required to provide specific examples, information, or facts about the subject/s you are examining.
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Describe
To help the reader "see" a process, imagine an event, or visualize a story by including specific traits, characteristics, or including those facts that summarize the essential features or events. In most cases, to describe is to answer "What happened?" or "What does it/he look like?"
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evaluateTo emphasize the positive and negative aspects of a product, presentation, film, book, etc. Evaluation requires that students Include opinions and support these with some kind of proof, information, or examples. Normally, teachers don’t like unsupported opinions. Effective evaluations are based on objective criteria.
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Explain
To give reasons or justifications for something, or present causes, rationalizations, or how or why something occurred. Explanations require you to include specific information, facts, research, or examples.
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Summarize
To provide a brief statement of the main/key points of a reading, lecture, event, or concept. It is important to note that summaries do NOT require much elaboration or explanation.
EXAMPLES: Summarize the key ideas of the article. Summarize the themes of the novel. Summarize Dr. Solomon's lecture on Poverty in America. |
Trace
To discuss how something came to happen, either through chronological order, according to a definite sequence, or by presenting phases or stages in order.
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