Writing & Citing

​​T​​​ask words have specific meanings and tell you what you need to do. They are used in assignment instructions or test questions. Be sure you are clear about what to do before starting to write.

Task words can be used in thesis statements in order to provide a clear focus for your reader. 

Always ask your instructor if you are not sure about what you are supposed to do.

Analyze

• to break down a topic/issue into its parts and discuss them

Assess

• to consider the value/importance of something, discuss positive and negative aspects, and give your own opinion/judgement; essentially the same as evaluate

Argue

• to take a position on an issue and support the position with evidence

Compare

• to describe similarities between things; could mean to describe both similarities and differences

Contrast

• to look at the differences between things

Critique

• to identify positive and negative points and evaluate them

Define

• to give a clear, detailed, and precise meaning

Describe

• to identify characteristics or qualities; often means to outline the main points

Discuss

• to identify and analyze important components of a topic/issue; often includes identifying how points relate to one another as well as the important questions/implications relating to the topic; essentially the same as examine

Evaluate

• see assess

Examine

• see discuss

Explain

• to make a concept/topic understandable; often answers the questions 'why' or 'how'

Illustrate

• to make clear by giving an example, in words or a diagram/picture

List

• to present information in a series of short, discrete points

Outline

• to give the main points (not details) of a topic in a logical order; often is in point form

Reflect on

• to examine the personal impact of an experience/issue/information; often includes an examination of the positive and negative aspects as well as future implications

Relate

• to make or show connections between things

State

• to give the main ideas of a topic, referring to the examples and supporting ideas (without a lot of detail)

Summarize

• to provide a concise overview of something by identifying the main points; do not add your own opinion unless asked to by the instructor​