Activity: process words
Instructions
This activity will help you identify which words and phrases relate to the process the assignment is expecting you to follow. In a question title, the process words tell you what to do with your material and are often expressed as imperatives: 'Assess the impact of ...' or 'Explain the importance of ...'
(You can download this activity as a document RTF, 249KB.)
- Match these process words to the meanings given in the Meanings grid below.
- Click on the link at the bottom of the page to see the completed grid.
Activity
Process words
| Examine the argument that | Describe | Evaluate | Contrast |
| Compare and contrast | Justify | Criticise | Discuss |
| Distinguish/differentiate between | How far/to what extent | Illustrate | Assess |
| Summarise | Analyse | Outline | Define |
| Give an account of / account for | State | Compare | Explain |
Meanings grid
| Process word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| give the exact meaning of a word or phrase, perhaps examine different possible or often-used definitions | |
| determine the value of, weigh up – see also Evaluate | |
| look at evidence or arguments for and against and weigh them up in terms of their value | |
| set in opposition in order to bring out the differences – you may also note that there are similarities | |
| explain the reasons for, clarify or give reasons for | |
| resolve into its component parts, examine critically or minutely | |
| look for and show the similarities and differences between examples, perhaps reach a conclusion about which is preferable and justify this | |
| give a detailed account of | |
| give details about how and why something is so | |
| look for differences between | |
| make a judgement backed by a reasoned discussion of the evidence involved, describe the merit of theories or opinions or the truth of assertions | |
| explain, then give two sides of the issue and any implications | |
| give reasons for a point of view, decisions or conclusions, and mention any main objections or arguments against | |
| give a clear, short description, explanation or account, presenting the chief factors and omitting minor details and examples – see also Outline | |
| find some points of common ground between two or more items and show where or how they are different | |
| look in detail at this line of argument | |
| give the main features or general principles of a subject, omitting minor details and emphasising structure and arrangement | |
| make an appraisal of the worth, validity or effectiveness of something (but not so that it is your personal opinion and give evidence from course materials – see also Assess | |
| present in a brief, clear way | |
| make clear and explicit, and give carefully chosen examples |