This is a brief summary of different essay question keywords, including explanations and breakdowns, that you might face when answering essay questions. Many examples are included. This summary can be used to bolster your understanding of the English language, and improve your own essay writing.
Why are there so many different question keywords?
When writing academically, you might be asked questions in all sorts of ways – this is because
different keywords are asking you to use different skillsets. These skillsets have varying levels
of difficulty, and therefore we can determine from the keywords being used in the question
how much weight to place on that question, and how comprehensive our answer must be.
For example, if you are asked to identify something in a text, generally, you need only point it
out, perhaps with a quote from the relevant extract; if you are asked to identify three things,
this question might only be worth three marks. However, if you are asked to discuss the
underlying theme of a text, much more will be required of you than mere identification, and
therefore this question will be worth a greater number of marks.
Some of the question keywords you might come across could include:
Identify
If you are asked to identify something in a text, generally, you need only point it out, perhaps
with a quote from the relevant extract; if you are asked to identify three things, this question
might only be worth three marks.
Describe
If you are asked to describe something, you are generally being asked to state what is
happening. For example, if you are asked to describe what happens in a novel, you might
simply be being asked to give an overview of the story.
E.g.: Describe the following extract: ‘The detective saw something uncanny slip beneath the
door, and felt he was grappling with something he did not understand.’
E.g., answer: The detective sees something he cannot explain, perhaps unearthly, pass beneath
the door, and feels at a loss.
Explain
If you are asked to explain something, you are generally being asked to, in your own words,
discuss not just what is happening, but also how and why it is happening.
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