Key words in Assignment Briefs - Help to boost your grades - Learning Resources at Wigan and Leigh College Skip to Main Content Wigan and Leigh College Learning Resources Study Skills Guides Help to boost your grades Key words in Assignment Briefs Search this Guide Search Help to boost your grades Home Key words in Assignment Briefs Assignment Brief Key Words Researching Information Note Taking Writing Essays & Assignments Writing Reports Writing a Critique Writing a literature review Writing short answer questions Reflective Writing Designing & Analysing Questionnaires Oral Presentations Fast Reading Techniques Time Management Referencing Further help and advice Assignment Brief It is important to understand what an essay question or assignment brief is asking of you. Before you start to research or write, it is worth spending time considering the wording of the question and any learning outcomes that may accompany it. Failure to do this could result in an unfocused response which does not answer the question. Breaking down an assignment question Before you attempt to answer an assignment question, you need to make sure you understand what it is asking. This includes not only the subject matter, but also the way in which you are required to write. Different questions may ask you to discuss, outline, evaluate… and many more. The task words are a key part of the question. Key Words Key Word Meaning Account Account for asks you to give reasons for. An account of asks for a detailed description Analyse Make a detailed examination or investigation into something. Assess Consider in a balanced way the points for and against something Comment State clearly your opinions on the topic in question. Support your views with evidence Compare Look for the similarities and differences. Show the relevance or consequences of these similarities. Contrast Emphasise the differences between two or more things. Critically evaluate Weigh arguments for and against something, assessing the strength of the evidence on both sides. Use criteria to guide your assessment of which opinions, theories, models or items are preferable. Define Give the precise meaning of something. Show how the distinctions you make are necessary Describe Give a detailed account Discuss Investigate or examine by argument; give reasons for and against. Evaluate Make a judgement about the value/importance/worth of something. Examine Present in depth and investigate fully the implications. Explain Make plain, interpret, give reasons. Extent 'To what extent’ – asks you to weigh the evidence for and against something: to state ‘how far’ something is valid. Illustrate Use examples, diagrams and so on to explain or make clear. Interpret Make clear the meaning of something, usually giving your own views also Justify Show adequate grounds for decisions or conclusions Outline Give the main features, structure or general principles of a topic omitting minor details. Review Make a survey of; critically examine the subject. State Specify fully and clearly. Summarise Give a concise account of the main points of the topic. Trace Follow the development or history of an event or process << Previous: Home Next: Researching Information >> Last Updated: Feb 14, 2022 12:04 PM URL: https://libguides.wigan-leigh.ac.uk/Boost_Your_Grades Print Page LRC Staff Login
