Do you know what the question is asking you to do? Instructional words tell you what is needed. There are three main types of instructional words: Information words, relation words and interpretation words. Here are some common instructional words and their meanings.
Information words ask you to show what you know about a subject
| Words | What do they mean? |
|---|---|
| Define | Give the exact meaning clearly and concisely. Sometimes there will be more than one meaning. |
| Describe | Give a detailed account of something. |
| Examine | Look closely at something and break down and describe the main topics in detail. |
| Explain | Clarify a topic. Look at reasons why something happened and account for the causes and results or implications. |
| Illustrate | Explain the ideas with the help of examples. Your answers will have phrases such as 'For example' and 'This is shown by...'. |
| List | Briefly give a series of ideas. It is sometimes numbered. |
| Outline | Explain the main ideas or points, leaving out minor details. |
| Research | Gather material from many outside sources, and analyse what you have found. |
| Summarise | Briefly list the important or main points, leaving out details or examples |
| Trace | Give a step by step account. You answer may include phrases such as 'The first stage is when...'. |
Relation words ask you to show how things are connected.
| Apply | Use details that you have been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory or concept works in a set situation. |
| Compare | Show the similarities/ differences between two or more things or ideas. |
| Contrast |
Show the differences, or dissimilarities of two or more things or ideas. |
| Discuss | Come to a conclusion about an issue, providing evidence and reasons for and sometimes against your point of view. |
| Relate | Show or describe the connection between things. Show any cause and affect, or how they may affect each other. |
Interpretation words ask you to give an opinion that is supported by evidence: use examples, definitions, and concepts from class/ research
| Analyse |
Break down into main ideas and show the relationship between them. |
| Argue |
Take a side for or against a point of view. Defend it with evidence to support your argument. |
| Assess |
Evaluate the extent to which something is true, highlighting any weaknesses or opposing arguments. Conclude by stating whether you agree with the original perspective. |
| Critically analyse |
Break down into main ideas and look at these ideas in terms of strengths and weaknesses. |
| Evaluate |
Look closely at something and break down and describe the main topics in detail. |
| Interpret |
Clearly explain the meaning. May use examples or provide a comment on it. |
| Prove/ justify |
Give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why the statement is the truth. |
| Support |
Give reasons or evidence for something you believe. Be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe. |
| Synthesise |
Bring two or more ideas together, not only saying how they are the same or different - but provide a reason for them |
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Helps students to develop confidence, technique and clarity of purpose as a writer in their discipline. Takes the reader through the complete writing process from understanding the task through researching, reading and planning, to drafting and composing, reviewing and finalising their copy with many self-study exercises included throughout.