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.