Traditional Academic Writing
Essay Writing: Key words, Propositions & Assumptions
In any essay title there will undoubtedly be key words, and there may be propositions
and/or assumptions in the title.
Key words are usually the ones that ask you to do something, or are the main subject of
the sentence. Look out for ‘and’ words between subject words, as this means you have to
write about with both items linked by ‘and’.
Propositions and/or assumptions are often rather quietly inserted into assignment
questions. They often quietly propose or suggest something to you, and you need to be
alert to them as they can be easily missed. You should watch out for them, as you need to
address them in your assignment. Failing to do this can be a common cause of ‘not
answering the question’.
What’s the difference between them?
Propositions
Assumptions
A proposition is definite point of view or
statement that is presented for
discussion. This may be in the form of
a direct statement, or indirectly
underpins the statement in question.
An assumption is a point of view that is
taken for granted without the need for
evidence, or even discussion of the
issue.
Example
Have a look at this example of an assignment task. Pick out the key words, and the
proposition within the sentence. Write in the grid below the task sentence.
“Evaluate the impact of the internet on practices for recruitment and selection employed
by firms.”
Identify the Key words in the
sentence
Spot the proposition in the sentence
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What type of question or task is it?
Essay titles undoubtedly contain ‘command’ words. These command words can be broken
into two main types; descriptive and analytical.
Descriptive
Analytical
Descriptive assignment questions or
tasks test your knowledge and
understanding of a subject and your
ability to present your ideas in a clear
and organized way.
You are expected to identify the
component parts, main elements, and
distinguishing features of any topic
under discussion.
Command words typically include:







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



Classify
Define
Demonstrate
Describe
Explain
Give an account of…
Illustrate
Outline
Show how
State
Summarise
Trace
Analytical questions or tasks also
test your knowledge of a subject.
But they are more concerned with
your ability to get below the surface of
a subject and to examine it from
different perspectives, understand
arguments for and against, and if
applicable propose alternative ideas,
models, and practices.
The command words typically
include:

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Analyse
Comment on
Compare and contrast…
Consider
Criticize
Discuss
Distinguish between…
Evaluate
Interpret
Justify
It is possible to cluster these command terms into common meaning and action groups, as
follows:
Descriptive command groups
Terms
 Describe
 State
Tutor expectations
You are expected to present the main features, elements, or
components of the topic under discussion. The idea is to test of
your awareness of the underpinning knowledge of any subject.
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 Demonstrate
 Illustrate
 Show how
 Outline
 Summarise
 Trace
As above, plus you would be expected to give examples to
show that you understand how something works, e.g. how a
theory, model, idea or practice can be applied.

You would clarify why something is as it is, or what happened
in any given situation.
Explain
(try defining these yourself)
(try defining this word yourself)
Analytical command groups
Terms
 Discuss
 Evaluate
 Consider
 Interpret
 Comment on
Tutor expectations
If you see any of these command terms you are expected to
identify and explain the main features of the topic under
discussion, including any main theories, ideas, models, or
practices underpinning the topic.
If applicable, you would be expected to know of and weigh-up
any counter-arguments and to make connections between
different ideas.
 Justify
This involves a detailed scrutiny of the topic in question. This
could include explaining one or more of the origins, structure,
organization or development of the topic in question, and the
positive and negative features of it.
(try defining this word yourself)
 Compare
and
contrast…
This involves a close study of the differences between one
thing or situation and another. You would need to identify the
structure and features of one and make comparisons with
another.
 Analyze
 Criticize
 Distinguish
between…
If relevant to the assignment topic, you may be required to
make a judgement on which is ‘better’ for the situation in
question.
An essay may involve:
 A descriptive only approach (fairly common at first stages of undergraduate study)
Or
 Description and analysis: in this case, both are important, but it is the analysis part of
your assignment that will carry the weight of the marking.
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Exercise
Evaluate this statement: “New technology is a significant contributory factor in weakening
the ability of people to write well”.
How would you tackle this question?
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