For example:
- We are planning to buy a new photocopier. Here are the details that three companies have provided us about their models. Can you put together a report comparing them on the basis of the features, initial costs and lifecycle costs (including consumables and maintenance) and make a recommendation?
The vocabulary used for giving directions is fairly standard, but sometimes we may not understand exactly what we are being asked for.
To help you interpret such directions, here’s a list of common words used in questions and simple definitions.
[col 10 first] [table format=1]
| Analyse | Divide the issue into its main parts and discuss each part. Consider how the parts interact and how they work together to form the whole. |
| Argue | Express your opinion about the subject, and support it with evidence, examples, and details. |
| Assess | See evaluate. |
| Classify | Organise the subject into groups and explain why the groupings make sense. |
| Compare | Point out similarities. |
| Contrast | Point out differences. |
| Define | Give the meaning of the subject. |
| Describe | Show readers what the subject is like; give an account of the subject. |
| Discuss | Point out the main issues or characteristics of the subject and elaborate. |
| Evaluate | Make a judgment about the effectiveness and success of the subject. What is good and bad about it? Why? Describe your criteria for your judgment. |
| Explain | Make your position, issue, process, etc. clear by analysing, defining, comparing, contrasting, or illustrating. |
| Identify | Name and describe. |
| Illustrate | Provide examples of the subject. |
| Indicate | Explain what you think the subject means and how you came to that interpretation (what makes you conclude that it means X). |
| Relate | Point out and discuss any connections. |
| Summarise | Describe the main ideas or points |
