Understanding the title
Know what you need to write
The first stage of the writing process is to understand the title. This is a key
stage. Get this wrong, and your whole essay may be worthless, meaning hours
of wasted time. A common complaint by course tutors is that their students do
not answer the question. By taking the time to understand the title, you can be
more confident that the content of your essay or report will be relevant, which will
earn you a higher grade. It will also ensure that your background reading, if it is
a researched assignment with references, will be more focused. The most
important aspects of understanding the question are identifying the key
words and the command words in the title. Both of these are considered below.
Key words
The first thing to do when looking at the title is to underline the key
words. Some of these may need defining in your answer. Pay special
attention to command words (see below), which give you a clear
indication of how to answer the question. Read through the question
several times to make sure you understand exactly what it is asking. If
it is a researched assignment, rather than an exam essay, you may
also want to discuss the question with your tutor to make sure you
completely understand it.
Command words
Command words, also called directive words or instruction words, are
words (usually verbs) in the title which tell you exactly what you need
to write in your answer. Below are some of the most common
command words and their meaning.
Designed by: Kamran Wisal
For Academic Writing Classes
Command
Meaning
word
Gives reasons for the subject of the question. Note: this is
Account for different from give an account of, which looks at 'what' rather
than 'why'.
Break an idea or issue into parts, looking at each one in depth and
Analyze considering how they relate to one another. This type of answer
needs to be very logically organised.
Weigh up how important something is, using evidence or
Assess reasoning. Conclude by saying how far you agree with the original
question.
Make something clearer, e.g. explaining a complex process or
Clarify
theory in simpler terms.
Comment
State the main points and give your opinion.
upon
Identify the similarities and differences. The answer should be
balanced, and may comment on which similarities or differences
are more important. Note: technically, 'compare' means to show
Compare
how things are similar, but in essay titles you are expected to look
at both similarities and differences; some titles may make this
more explicit by asking you to 'Compare and contrast...'.
Say what you think about the subject, using evidence from your
Consider
own experience or from external sources.
Contrast Similar to compare, but considers only the differences.
Identify weaknesses or disadvantages, as well as favourable
Criticize
aspects. The answer should be balanced.
Give a definition, i.e. the precise meaning. This answer may
Define include problems with the definition and alternative definitions
which may exist.
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Demonstrate Show how, using examples to illustrate your answer.
Say what something is like, how or why something works or
Describe
happens, etc.
Argue for and against, or point out the advantages and
Discuss disadvantages, using evidence. You must argue both sides, and
come to a conclusion.
Look at the 'con' points (those against) to show why something is
Disprove
not true. Requires a logical answer with evidence.
Elaborate To give more detail/information on the subject.
Elucidate Make the subject clear (i.e. lucid) by explaining what it means.
Same as assess. Some questions use 'Critically evaluate', which
Evaluate
means the same thing.
Look at the topic closely by establishing the important facts and
Examine issues. You should give reasons to say why you think those facts
and issues are the most important ones.
Give a detailed explanation of how and why something occurs, or
Explain what is meant by a particular idea or principle. Will often require
definition of key terms.
Consider a topic from different viewpoints. The topic should be
Explore explored thoroughly, and opposing views could be reconciled in
the final argument.
Give an Give a detailed description of something, i.e. explain 'what' it is.
account of Note: this is different from account for, which looks at 'why'.
Identify Show what the key points are, and what they imply.
Illustrate Use examples or statistics to explain the subject of the question.
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Say what you think something means, in order to demonstrate
your understanding. You may be asked to interpret terminology
Interpret used by a writer or the findings from research. If you are
interpreting findings, you should comment on patterns or causal
relationships.
Give reasons for a position (e.g. 'Justify the use of corporal
Justify punishment in schools'). Try to include counter-arguments to make
your reasons more balanced.
Outline Same as summarise
Look at the 'pro' points (those in favour) to show why something is
Prove
true. Requires a logical answer with evidence.
Look thoroughly at a subject. An answer to this question will be
Review
critical and not just description.
Give the stages or factors which give rise to something. The
Show how
answer should be presented in a logical order.
Give the relevant points. These points should be clear and brief;
State
avoid long discussion.
Sum up the main points, usually with brief or general examples.
Summarize
Do not give details. Often requires a short answer.
Similar to 'Discuss', in that both sides of the argument will be
presented, with evidence. This type of essay, however, may be
To what less balanced, depending on what extent (or 'how far') you think
extent the proposition is true. It is commonly used as an IELTS Task 2
essay question, usually in the phrase 'To what extent do you agree
or disagree?'
Describe the stages (e.g. in the development of a theory, of a
Trace person's life, of a process) in a logical or chronological order.
Usually found in historical questions.
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For Academic Writing Classes
Checklist
Below is a checklist for this section.
Item OK? Comments
I have identified the key words in the title and I
know what these mean.
I have identified the command word(s) and I know
what I have to write in my answer.
Designed by: Kamran Wisal
For Academic Writing Classes
