Knowing what the verbs in your assignment actually mean will help you to do it!
| Verb | Means . . . |
| Analyse | Consider in detail for the purpose of finding meaning or relationships, and identifying patterns, similarities and differences; To examine the whole to find out its parts and the relationships of those parts
NOTE: Critical Analysis is subjective writing because it expresses the writer’s opinion or evaluation of a text |
| Argue | Give reasons for or against something |
| Communicate | To transmit information so that it is satisfactorily understood |
| Compare | Estimate, measure or note how things are similar or dissimilar |
| Contrast | Compare in such a way as to emphasise differences |
| Define | To determine the essential qualities of; to set forth the meaning of; to fix or mark the limits of |
| Describe | Give an account of characteristics or features |
| Discuss | Talk or write about a topic, taking into account different issues or ideas |
| Evaluate | Examine or judge the merit or significance of something |
| Examine | Determine the nature or condition of |
| Explain | Provide additional information that demonstrates understanding of reasoning and/or application; To make plain or understandable |
| Identify | To show the identity or individuality of |
| Interpret | Draw meaning from |
| Investigate | Plan, inquire into and draw conclusions about |
| Justify | Show how an argument or conclusion is just, right or reasonable |
| Outline | To indicate the main features or parts of |
| Sequence | Arrange in order |
| Summarise | Give a brief statement of the main points |
| Synthesise | Combine elements (information/ideas/components) into a coherent whole |
| Note: Some of these definitions were taken from the BSSS website and some were modified from Britannica for Teens | |
