Writing Tutorials

Essay Writing

By Ted Neilson
This site has been reproduced with the kind permission of Ted Neilson. His original site can be found at www.write-an-essay.com

Answer the essay question

Make sure that you answer the question when writing an essay. If you are asked to assess, describe or discuss make sure you do assess, describe or discuss the essay question. When you look at the question set, concentrate on the key verb. For example:

Analyze
Break down into main ideas and discuss, examine or interpret the proposition.

Compare
Examine and identify similarities and differences, but concentrate on similarities.

Contrast
Examine differences and explain their relevance.

Compare and Contrast
Examine both similarities and differences.

Criticize
Analyze and evaluate the subject critically, looking for weak points in the proposition. You may need to come to a judgment or conclusion based on your analysis and evaluation.

Define
Describe, explain and set the limits of the proposition.

Describe
Give a precise picture of the characteristics and qualities of the subject.

Discuss
Debate the pros and cons of the issue in the question, paying particular attention to areas of controversy or conflict.

Evaluate
Assess the proposition by looking at the information and expert opinion. Come to your own conclusions based on the evidence that supports the proposition.

Illustrate
Use examples, analogies, and comparisons to explain the proposition.

Interpret
Explain the meaning of the proposition, commenting on its effect and describing its relationship to data. Give examples. Evaluate its validity.

Outline
Describe main ideas, characteristics, information or events

Prove
Support with facts to agree with the proposition.

State
Produce the exact information asked.

Summarize
Give a brief account, concentrating of the conclusions reached from the proposition.

Trace
Describe and analyze the order of events or progress.

Warning: Don’t fall into the trap of writing all you know about the subject — 70 percent will be irrelevant and will not earn you any marks. You’ll also find the irrelevant material detracts from the essential information contained in the essay.

Next: Show your Analytical Skills

Essay Writing Tutorial Page: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

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