A Glossary of key words used in essay questions

Account for:

state reasons for, report on. Give an account of: Narrate a series of events or transactions.

Analyse:

Identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate implications.

Apply:

Use, utilise, employ in a particular fashion.

Appreciate:

Make a judgement about the value of.

Assess:

Make a judgement of value, quality outcomes, results or size.

Calculate:

Ascertain/determine from given facts, figures or information.

Clarify:

Make clear or plain.

Classify:

Arrange or include in classes/categories.

Compare:

Show how things are similar or different.

Construct:

Make, build, put together items or arguments.

Contrast:

Show how things are different or opposite.

Critically:

Add a degree or level of accuracy depth, knowledge and understanding.

Deduce:

Draw conclusions.

Define:

State meaning and identify essential qualities.

Demonstrate:

Show by example.

Describe:

Provide characteristics and features.

Discuss:

Identify issues, and provide points for and/or against.

Distinguish:

Recognise or note/indicate as being distinct or different from; to note differences between.

Evaluate:

Make a judgement based on criteria; determine the value of.

Examine:

Inquire into.

Explain:

Relate cause and effect; make a relationship between things evident; provide why and/or how.

Extract:

Choose relevant and/or appropriate details.

Extrapolate:

Infer from what is known.

Identify:

Recognise and name.

Interpret:

Draw meaning from.

Investigate:

Plan, inquire into and draw conclusions about.

Justify:

Support an argument or conclusion.

Outline:

Sketch in general terms; indicate the main feature of.

Predict:

Suggest what may happen based on available information.

Propose:

Put forward( for example a point of view, idea, argument, suggestion) for consideration or action.

Recall:

Present remembered ideas, facts or experiences.

Recount:

Retell a series of events.

Summarise:

Express, concisely, the relevant details.

Synthesise:

Putting together various elements to make a whole.