ESSAY COMMAND WORDS
Analyse- separate something into its parts or major components;
of what is something composed ? (Very common command word)
Assess- judge the value of something
Compare- examine for the purposes of noting similarities and
differences; in what ways are two things alike and different?
Contrast- compare in order to show unlikeness or points of difference;
NB note the difference with ‘compare’
Criticise- make judgments as to merits and faults; criticism may
approve or disapprove
Define- give the meaning of a word, phrase or concept; determine or
fix the boundaries or extent of
Describe- provide an account of; tell about; give a word picture of
Discuss- this usually requires you to analyse and evaluate
Evaluate- give the good points and the bad ones, appraise; give an
opinion regarding the value; discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
Explain- make clear or plain; make known in detail; tell the meaning
of; make clear the cause or reason of
Identify and-(with another command word such as "Identify and
evaluate the relative importance of each of the following") define and
give the significance
Mrs. L Greene
APUSH
1
3/8/2016
Illustrate- make clear or intelligible by examples
Justify- show good reasons for a choice, by commenting on the
strengths of the choice over other options that weren’t chosen, i.e.
there must be some comparison of the options
Summarise- state or express in concise form; give the main points
briefly
Mrs. L Greene
APUSH
2
3/8/2016