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Definitions clarify the expected thinking style behind common instruction verbs such as analyse, assess, compare, contrast, evaluate, define, demonstrate, describe, discuss, elaborate, examine, explore, justify, outline, review, interpret, identify, illustrate, justify, present, and state. It also warns against misreading instructions that could cause essays to lack focus or become irrelevant, and recommends using the glossary alongside dedicated study guides.",{"@graph":69,"@context":122},[70,84,105],{"@type":71,"itemListElement":72},"BreadcrumbList",[73,77,79,82],{"item":74,"name":75,"@type":76,"position":8},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":78,"name":9,"@type":76,"position":14},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/",{"item":80,"name":20,"@type":76,"position":81},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/exam/",3,{"item":83,"name":65,"@type":76,"position":19},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/essay-terms-explained-glossary/490956/",{"url":83,"name":65,"@type":85,"image":86,"author":91,"headline":65,"publisher":94,"fileFormat":97,"inLanguage":63,"description":67,"dateModified":98,"datePublished":99,"encodingFormat":97,"isAccessibleForFree":100,"interactionStatistic":101},"DigitalDocument",{"url":87,"@type":88,"width":89,"height":90},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/essay-terms-explained-glossary/490956.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":92,"@type":93},"Rowan","Person",{"url":74,"name":95,"@type":96},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-11-04","2026-10-01",true,{"@type":102,"interactionType":103,"userInteractionCount":34},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":104},"ViewAction",{"@type":106,"mainEntity":107},"FAQPage",[108,114,118],{"name":109,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":111},"Why is it important to understand directive words in an essay question?","Question",{"text":112,"@type":113},"Directive words indicate how you should answer the question. Understanding their meanings helps you choose the right approach and maintain relevance and focus.","Answer",{"name":115,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":116},"What does 'analyse' require in an essay?",{"text":117,"@type":113},"Break the issue into constituent parts and look in depth at each part using supporting arguments and evidence, including how the parts interrelate.",{"name":119,"@type":110,"acceptedAnswer":120},"How is 'critically evaluate' different from 'evaluate'?",{"text":121,"@type":113},"Critically evaluate asks for a verdict on how true or agreed the statement or findings are, using evidence from sources that support and contradict the argument, then justifying a final conclusion.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":83,"og:type":124,"og:title":65,"og:site_name":95,"og:description":67},"article",{"robots":126,"canonical":83},"index,follow",{"doc_id":128,"site_id":62},490956,1791797240,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":131},{"doc_id":128,"user_id":132,"nickname":92,"user_avatar":133,"doc_module":4,"category_id":19,"category_name":20,"doc_title":65,"doc_description":67,"doc_content":134,"file_id":135,"file_url":136,"file_type":137,"file_size":138,"view_count":34,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":8,"is_downloadable":8,"audit_status":8,"page_count":14,"language":139,"language_code":63,"site_id":62,"html_lang":63,"table_of_contents":140,"faqs":141,"seo_title":142,"seo_description":67,"update_tm":143,"read_time":24,"preview_page_count":4},1099514067415,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/100002539d78ffe74a7?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1779092875211072502","To write a good essay, you firstly need to have a clear understanding of what the essay question is asking you to do. Looking at the essay question in close detail will help you to identify the topic and ‘directive words’ (Dhann, 2001), which instruct you how to answer the question. Understanding the meaning of these directive words is a vital first step in producing your essay.  \nThis glossary provides definitions of some of the more typical words that you may come across in an essay question. Please note that these definitions are meant to provide general, rather than exact guidance, and are not a substitute for reading the question carefully. Get this wrong, and you risk the chance of writing an essay that lacks focus, or is irrelevant.  \nYou are advised to use this glossary in conjunction with the following study guides: Writing essays, and Thought mapping written by Student Learning Development.  \nEssay term  \nDefinition  \n\n| Analyse | Break an issue into its constituent parts. Look in depth at each part using supporting arguments and evidence for and against as well as how these interrelate to one another. |\n| --- | --- |\n| Assess | Weigh up to what extent something is true. Persuade the reader of your argument by citing relevant research but also remember to point out any flaws and counter-arguments as well. Conclude by stating clearly how far you are in agreement with the original proposition. |\n| Clarify | Literally make something clearer and, where appropriate, simplify it. This could involve, for example, explaining in simpler terms a complex process or theory, or the relationship between two variables. |\n| Comment upon | Pick out the main points on a subject and give your opinion, reinforcing your point of view using logic and reference to relevant evidence, including any wider reading you have done. |\n| Compare | Identify the similarities and differences between two or more phenomena. Say if any of the shared similarities or differences are more important than others. ‘Compare’ and ‘contrast’ will often feature together in an essay question. |\n| Consider | Say what you think and have observed about something. Back up your comments using appropriate evidence from external sources, or your own experience. Include any views which are contrary to your own and how they relate to what you originally thought. |\n| Contrast | Similar to compare but concentrate on the dissimilarities between two or more phenomena, or what sets them apart. Point out any differences which are particularly significant. |\n| Critically\u003Cbr>evaluate | Give your verdict as to what extent a statement or findings within a piece of research are true, or to what extent you agree with them. Provide evidence taken from a wide range of sources which both agree with and contradict an argument. Come to a final conclusion, basing your decision on what you judge to be the most important factors and justify how you have made your choice. |\n| Define | To give in precise terms the meaning of something. Bring to attention any problems posed with the definition and different interpretations that may exist. |\n| Demonstrate | Show how, with examples to illustrate. |\n| Describe | Provide a detailed explanation as to how and why something happens. |\n| Discuss | Essentially this is a written debate where you are using your skill at reasoning, backed up by carefully selected evidence to make a case for and against an argument, or point out the advantages and disadvantages of a given context. Remember to arrive at a conclusion. |\n| Elaborate | To give in more detail, provide more information on. |\n| Evaluate | See the explanation for ‘critically evaluate’. |\n\nExamine Look in close detail and establish the key facts and important issues surrounding a topic. This should be  \na critical evaluation and you should try and offer reasons as to why the facts and issues you have identified are the most important, as well as explain the different ways they could be construed.  \nEx","cbCaidhOJJ7n6oVq","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaidhOJJ7n6oVq","pdf",333431,"English","# How to interpret essay questions\n## Directive words and essay focus\n# Glossary of common essay terms\n## Analyse, Assess, Clarify, Comment upon\n## Compare, Consider, Contrast, Critically evaluate\n## Define, Demonstrate, Describe, Discuss, Elaborate, Evaluate\n## Examine, Explain, Explore, Give an account of\n## Identify, Illustrate, Interpret, Justify, Outline, Review, Show how, State","[{\"question\":\"Why is it important to understand directive words in an essay question?\",\"answer\":\"Directive words indicate how you should answer the question. Understanding their meanings helps you choose the right approach and maintain relevance and focus.\"},{\"question\":\"What does 'analyse' require in an essay?\",\"answer\":\"Break the issue into constituent parts and look in depth at each part using supporting arguments and evidence, including how the parts interrelate.\"},{\"question\":\"How is 'critically evaluate' different from 'evaluate'?\",\"answer\":\"Critically evaluate asks for a verdict on how true or agreed the statement or findings are, using evidence from sources that support and contradict the argument, then justifying a final conclusion.\"}]","Essay Terms Explained - Glossary | PDF",1790843863]