After you’ve read the question carefully, consider the type of answer required and the amount of evidence needed. There are six categories of key terms used in both short-answer and essay questions:
- Define:
- Requires a detailed definition of the term you are given, sometimes with the use of examples
- Identify:
- Requires an answer that provides the who, what, when, where, and why of a term
- May require labelling the parts of a diagram or describing the process that it depicts
- Describe (i.e. illustrate, discuss):
- Requires a written representation of the concept or question, sometimes with detailed examples
- May require you to look at the question from different points of view
- Relate (i.e. analyze, compare and contrast):
- Requires you to identify similarities, differences, and/or associations between concepts
- Demonstrate (i.e. argue, explain, justify, prove, defend)
- Requires logical evidence or arguments to support a specific statement or conclusion
- May require the use of formulae, processes, methodologies, or diagrams learned in class to solve a problem
- Evaluate (i.e. criticize, interpret):
- Requires you to comment on a concept, theory, or event, criticizing and/or explaining the meaning or significance of the question