Common Essay Terms

Jaylyne F.
58 words 25 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. summarization
    the act of stating briefly and succinctly
    Summarize:
    When you are asked to summarize or present a summarization, you should give in condensed form the main points or facts.
  2. itemize
    specify individually
    You are expected in such questions to present an itemized series or tabulation.
  3. sequentially
    in a consecutive manner
    Cause and Effect
    When these terms are used, you are being asked to describe a process sequentially, showing how one event or situation necessarily must follow some other event or situation.
  4. summarize
    briefly present the main points of something
    Summarize:
    When you are asked to summarize or present a summarization, you should give in condensed form the main points or facts.
  5. specify
    be particular about
    Diagram:
    For a question which specifies a diagram you should present a drawing, chart, plan, or graphic representation in your answer.
  6. evaluate
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
    Evaluate:
    in an evaluation question, you are expected to present a careful appraisal of the problem stressing both advantages and limitations.
  7. concise
    expressing much in few words
    Define:
    Definitions call for concise, clear, authoritative meanings.
  8. clarify
    make clear by removing impurities or solids, as by heating
    Explain:
    In explanatory answers it is imperative that you clarify and interpret the material you present.
  9. dissimilarity
    the quality of being dissimilar
    Contrast:
    Stress dissimilarities, differences, or unlikeness of things, qualities, events, or problems.
  10. diagram
    a drawing intended to explain how something works
    Diagram:
    For a question which specifies a diagram you should present a drawing, chart, plan, or graphic representation in your answer.
  11. evaluation
    the act of ascertaining or judging the quality of
    Evaluate:
    in an evaluation question, you are expected to present a careful appraisal of the problem stressing both advantages and limitations.
  12. exemplify
    be characteristic of
    You are expected to translate, exemplify, solve, or comment upon the subject and usually to give your judgment or reaction to the problem.
  13. enumerate
    specify individually
    Enumerate:
    The word enumerate specifies a list or outline form of reply.
  14. condense
    cause a gas or vapor to change into a liquid
    Summarize:
    When you are asked to summarize or present a summarization, you should give in condensed form the main points or facts.
  15. criticize
    find fault with; point out real or perceived flaws
    Criticize:
    Express your judgment, correctness, or merit.
  16. imply
    express or state indirectly
    Evaluation implies authoritative and, to a lesser degree, personal appraisal of both contributions and limitations.
  17. similarity
    the quality of being alike
    "Compare" is usually stated as "compare with": you are to emphasize similarities, although differences may be mentioned.
  18. generalization
    the process of abstracting common properties of instances
    But more specifically, when you are asked to apply a principle, you are being asked to show by explanation and example exactly how some particular principle or generalization can be used to solve a particular problem.
  19. directive
    a pronouncement encouraging or banning some activity
    Common Terms in Essay Questions
    "Directives" ask you to answer, or present information, in a particular way.
  20. cite
    make reference to
    Details are not required but limitations of the definition should be briefly cited.
  21. analyze
    break down into components or essential features
    Discuss:
    The term discuss, which appears often in essay questions, directs you to examine, analyze carefully, and present considerations pro and con regarding the problems or items involved.
  22. interpret
    make sense of; assign a meaning to
    Explain:
    In explanatory answers it is imperative that you clarify and interpret the material you present.
  23. emphasize
    stress or single out as important
    "Compare" is usually stated as "compare with": you are to emphasize similarities, although differences may be mentioned.
  24. verification
    additional proof that something that was believed is correct
    Prove:
    A question which requires proof is one which demands confirmation or verification.
  25. authoritative
    of recognized power or excellence
    Define:
    Definitions call for concise, clear, authoritative meanings.
  26. elaboration
    developing in intricate and painstaking detail
    All details, illustrations and elaboration are to be omitted.
  27. illustrate
    depict with a visual representation
    Illustrate:
    A question which asks you to illustrate usually requires you to explain or clarify your answer to the problem by presenting a figure, picture, diagram, or concrete example.
  28. enumeration
    the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
    List:
    Listing is similar to enumeration.
  29. characterize
    be typical of
    Describe:
    In a descriptive answer you should recount, characterize, sketch or relate in narrative form.
  30. supplementary
    functioning in a supporting capacity
    You should give main points and essential supplementary materials, omitting minor details, and present the information in a systematic arrangement or classification.
  31. sequence
    a following of one thing after another in time
    You should analyze and comment briefly in organized sequence upon the major points of the problem.
  32. explanatory
    serving or intended to make clear
    Explain:
    In explanatory answers it is imperative that you clarify and interpret the material you present.
  33. describe
    give a statement representing something
    Describe:
    In a descriptive answer you should recount, characterize, sketch or relate in narrative form.
  34. explanation
    making something understandable
    Generally, you are expected to label the diagram and in some cases add a brief explanation or description.
  35. outline
    the line that appears to bound an object
    Enumerate:
    The word enumerate specifies a list or outline form of reply.
  36. deduction
    the act of removing a part from the whole
    Such narratives may call for probing or for deduction.
  37. compare
    examine and note the similarities or differences of
    Compare:
    Examine qualities, or characteristics, to discover resemblances.
  38. judgement
    the act of judging or assessing a person or situation
    Criticize or Evaluate
    Here you are being asked to make a judgement of value.
  39. example
    an item of information that is typical of a class or group
    Illustrate:
    A question which asks you to illustrate usually requires you to explain or clarify your answer to the problem by presenting a figure, picture, diagram, or concrete example.
  40. discuss
    consider or examine in speech or writing
    Discuss the limitations and good points or contributions of the plan or work in question.
  41. probe
    an exploratory action or expedition
    Such narratives may call for probing or for deduction.
  42. illustration
    a visual representation to make a subject easy to understand
    Details, and usually illustrations or examples, may be omitted.
  43. narrative
    an account that tells the particulars of an act or event
    Describe:
    In a descriptive answer you should recount, characterize, sketch or relate in narrative form.
  44. justify
    show to be right by providing proof
    Justify:
    When you are instructed to justify your answer you must prove or show grounds for decisions.
  45. translate
    restate from one language into another language
    You are expected to translate, exemplify, solve, or comment upon the subject and usually to give your judgment or reaction to the problem.
  46. classification
    the basic cognitive process of arranging into categories
    You should give main points and essential supplementary materials, omitting minor details, and present the information in a systematic arrangement or classification.
  47. graphic
    written or drawn or engraved
    Diagram:
    For a question which specifies a diagram you should present a drawing, chart, plan, or graphic representation in your answer.
  48. contrast
    the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
    Contrast:
    Stress dissimilarities, differences, or unlikeness of things, qualities, events, or problems.
  49. imperative
    requiring attention or action
    Explain:
    In explanatory answers it is imperative that you clarify and interpret the material you present.
  50. demonstrate
    give an exhibition of to an interested audience
    By being able to give a good example, you demonstrate that you understand how a principle may be applied to specific situations.
  51. explain
    make plain and comprehensible
    Explain:
    In explanatory answers it is imperative that you clarify and interpret the material you present.
  52. specific
    stated explicitly or in detail
    The explanation becomes more clear if you give specific examples after you have made a general cause and effect statement.
  53. define
    show the form or outline of
    Define:
    Definitions call for concise, clear, authoritative meanings.
  54. trace
    an indication that something has been present
    Trace:
    When a question asks you to trace a course of events, you are to give a description of progress, historical sequence, or development from the point of origin.
  55. opinion
    a personal belief or judgment
    In such an answer it is best to state the "how or why," reconcile any differences in opinion or experimental results, and, where possible, state causes.
  56. effect
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
    Cause and Effect
    When these terms are used, you are being asked to describe a process sequentially, showing how one event or situation necessarily must follow some other event or situation.
  57. judgment
    the act of assessing a person or situation or event
    Criticize:
    Express your judgment, correctness, or merit.
  58. comparison
    the act of examining resemblances
    Usually comparison implies showing similarities and contrast implies describing differences between things and ideas.
Created on Fri Sep 09 06:23:03 EDT 2011

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