A guide to command words

Sometimes, we may start writing our assignment without fully understanding the question. To avoid this mistake, we can take a moment to consider the keywords used in the question and what they are directing us to do. Understanding directive words such as 'evaluate', 'discuss', and 'explain' is crucial when writing an assignment, as they provide guidance on how you should answer the question. It's a good idea to highlight or underline these words within the question to keep them in mind while working on your assignment. 

You can read our guide to command words here for more information:

 

Command word

Definition

Guidance

Analyse

Examine elements in detail
  • Select relevant information
  • Separate information into components
  • Identify their characteristics
  • Determine how they relate to overall structure
  • Make links between different sources of information
  • Use logical thinking to identify cause and effect 

Apply

Use a procedure in a given
situation
  • Choose appropriate actions
  • Demonstrate effectiveness
  • Use technical terms

Appraise

See definition for ‘Assess’

See guidance for ‘Assess’ 

Assess

Make an informed 
judgement
  • Consider all the factors or events that apply 
  • Identify which are the most important or relevant 
  • Recognise evidence
  • Apply systematic thinking 
  • Make a decision about the quality, value or importance

Compare

Identify similarities and 
differences
  • Identify and explain the similarities between two or 
    more concepts, theories or approaches 
  • Identify and explain the differences between those 
    concepts, theories or approaches 
  • Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the 
    concepts or theories in your answer 

Critically

Identify similarities and 
differences
  • Identify and explain the similarities between two or 
    more concepts, theories or approaches 
  • Identify and explain the differences between those 
    concepts, theories or approaches 
  • Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the 
    concepts or theories in your answer 

Define

Often occurs before another 
command word, for example 
‘Analyse’, ‘Assess’ or 
‘Evaluate’ inviting a more in-
depth examination of an 
issue from the point of view 
of a critic 
  • Look for more depth 
  • Use supporting details 
  • Apply the theory 
  • Focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the points of 
    view being expressed 
  • Challenge conventional thinking

Describe

Give a detailed account of 
something 
  •  Set out characteristics 
  • Use developed statements 
  • Make links between them 
  • Do not need to include a justification or explanation 

Describe the process

Give the steps of the process

See guidance for 'Describe'

Describe the effect

Write about what has 
changed/happened because 
of the event 

See guidance for 'Describe' 

Discuss

Present key points 
  • Identify different ideas or strengths and weaknesses of an idea 
  • Explore them by making links 
  • Take into account different opinions (where 
    appropriate) 

Evaluate

Judge from available 
evidence 
  • Review information in the question 
  • Consider several options, ideas or arguments 
  • Take into account different factors (when it may or may 
    not apply) 
  • Use available knowledge / experience / evidence 
  • Make a supported, evidence-based judgement 

Examine

Investigate closely 
  • Consider carefully the indicated topic 
  • Establish the key facts and important issues 
  • Provide a detailed account 
  • Include cause and effect in the points that you make 
  • Provide examples and evidence to support your points 

Explain

Set out the causes of 
something and/or the 
factors which influence it
  • State the point clearly 
  • Develop it to address the question 
  • Include some element of reasoning/justification 
  • Use examples to support the understanding 

Explain why/reasons 
for/consequences of

Give the cause of/rationale 
for something

See guidance for 'Explain'

Explain how 

Give the steps, clarify what 
are the relationships 
between those steps

See guidance for 'Explain'

Identify

Name or otherwise 
characterise 
  • Provide brief facts or examples 
  • Include only key information 
  • Do not need to write in a lot of detail 

Illustrate

Make clear by using 
examples
  • State the point clearly 
  • Develop it to address the question 
  • Incorporate relevant concepts and examples 
  • Ensure that your illustration relates to the specific 
    information in the case or context provided 

Justify

Give evidence to support an answer 
  • Present a reasoned case 
  • Use supporting evidence from theory and practice to explain why something should happen in a particular 
    way.  
  • Discuss and discount alternative views or actions 
  • Analyse positives and negatives for each of the options 
    available  
  • To justify a recommendation, the positives have to 
    outweigh the negatives

Recommend

Offer a possible action or 
plan
  • Apply your knowledge to a situation 
  • Provide recommendations 
  • Explain why the recommendation should be considered

Review

Describe main features and assess them 
  • Survey information, methods, outcomes, conclusions 
  • Decide what is effective or not 

Outline

Provide a brief account of 
relevant information
  • Give main features or general principles, ignoring minor 
    details 
  • Provide a description setting out the main 
    characteristics / points 

Propose

Offer a possible plan or 
action 
  • Apply your knowledge to a situation 
  • Provide a plan/action based on given criteria