Some of the action words used in essay topics

Action word Explanation Example

Analyse Work out how individual parts create or relate to the whole. Try to find out or Analyse a number of articles from the Cape
work out why these parts are important. Figure out how something works, what Times to find out what the youth of South
it might mean, or why it is important. Africa think about Kwaito music.
Apply Use information that you've been given to show how an idea, theory, impression Apply the information that you have learned
or thought works in a particular situation. about the structure of classical music to the
structure of Kwaito.
Argue When you write an academic (university) essay, you express an opinion and Do you consider that the emergence of
justify and support your ideas. You agree with one side and defend your opinion Kwaito music will have a negative effect on
with evidence against the other side. The argument you present is usually the the cultural and social development of urban
main idea of your piece of writing. This is also called the claim or thesis youth in South Africa?
statement. In other words, the opinion that you express is central to the essay.
Your claim must be supported with evidence and you must be able to reason in
order to argue successfully.
Assess and When you assess or evaluate, you are required to make value judgements using Evaluate the comments of X and Y in relation
Evaluate are some standard or set of standards. to evidence provided by research conducted
often used by Z
interchangeably
Compare and These instructions are often placed together because they help you to see a point Compare and contrast the opinions
Contrast of discussion from two points of view. expressed by Vygotsky and Bruner regarding
Compare show how two or more things are similar or different. There will be scaffolding of support in language learning.
positive and negative aspects to such an argument.
Contrast show how two or more things are different. There will be only negative
aspects to such an argument.
Define Definitions are always used for a specific purpose and within a given context. Ask Create a definition of learning from a
who, what, when, where, how, and why in order to provide a meaning for a term constructivist perspective.
or word. Sometimes you have to give more than one opinion of the meaning.
Action word Explanation Example
Describe Description is used in all forms of writing to create an impression of a person, Describe the dance movements used in the
place, object, or event. When you are asked to describe something, you are waltz with special reference to Mannoza’s
usually being asked to help the reader create a mental picture of people, places, theory of dance.
things and situations. You are sometimes asked to describe something in
academic writing, usually with regard to theories
Discuss In an academic situation, when you are asked to discuss a topic, you are usually Discuss the social and cultural implications of
(also see Argue) expected to take a stand and convince your reader that you are correct. In other jazz music on the development of urban
words, you create an argument. youth in South Africa.
In a discussion you should present your opinion from a number of different view
points in order show that you understand the study material, resources, as well
as the question.
Explain When you are asked to explain something you are usually expected to give your Explain the meaning of the following
own interpretation of terms or information from study material and other passage. Remember to use your own words.
sources.
In order to explain successfully you need to show that you
• understand the principles of a topic;
• can interpret written material;
• can follow text structure;
• can identify important elements of a text and can summarize and
paraphrase;
• can see the difference between important and unrelated details relating to a
topic;
• understand the vocabulary and terminology used in a certain subject;
• can interpret ideas, and definitions.
Illustrate Interpret an idea or a topic and supply appropriate examples to support your Illustrate the social effects of music on urban
ideas. youth with examples you have gained from
your research.
Action word Explanation Example
Prove Justify and give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is Use examples to prove that unemployment
the truth. has a negative effect on the social
development of urban youth.
Relate This often refers to the retelling of a situation. In order to relate successfully in an Relate the present findings of how the brain
(also see academic situation you need to show or describe the connections between works to the early research of Piaget.
explain) issues, circumstances, or conditions. It includes elements of explaining.

Research Research is the collection of information in order to support an argument or Research the origins of human kind by
prove a claim or thesis statement. Gather material from outside sources about examining data and artifacts.
the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyse what
you have found.
Support Argue a point and express your opinion. Give reasons or evidence from what you Discuss the merits of dancing. Support your
have read or something you believe (be sure to state your opinion clearly). answer with evidence from valid examples
Synthesize Rearrange and integrate information. Synthesise the ideas of Piaget, Vygotsky and
Do not just summarize one and then the other, and say that they are similar or Bruner to create a new definition of
different. You must provide a reason for putting them together that runs all the scaffolding.
way through your essay.
Trace Outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its Trace the emergence of Kwaito as a style of
current form. music from the early 1950’s to the present
Identify trends by finding similarities in the developments. day.
Give reasons for your selection of trends and comment on the way in which they
have developed.