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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