AAE - Question Words. (Lesson)

Question Words.

Infographic of essay buzzwords listed in the chart below the image.

 

Analyze, Compare, Huh? Ever wonder what all those essay words mean. . . just what exactly it is the question is asking you to do?

When the question wants you to . . .

Then you . . .

ANALYZE

break into smaller parts and interpret importance

APPLY                 

extend a concept or principle to a new situation

COMPARE     

identify similarities between two concepts

(for AP Euro it will ALWAYS be used in conjunction with Contrast)

CONTRAST

distinguish important differences between two concepts

(for AP Euro it will ALWAYS be used in conjunction with Compare)

CRITICIZE

judge the positive and negative features of a concept

DEFINE

offer the essential idea behind a concept

DESCRIBE

provide sufficient details to establish key ideas in a concept 

DESIGN

develop a new strategy to accomplish a goal

EXPLAIN

clarify the meaning of a concept through detail or example

EVALUATE

make a well-reasoned judgment about value or worth

GENERALIZE

apply a principle to make predictions about a new problem

HYPOTHESIZE

develop a specific prediction about a complex situation

IDENTIFY

designate the key elements involved

ILLUSTRATE

provide examples or details to clarify

INTERPRET

offer your distinctive point of view about a concept's meaning

LIST

identify factors in a systematic or comprehensive manner

PREDICT

offer your best guess about an outcome

PROVE

create your best argument using examples or reasoning

RECOMMEND

put forward a preferred course of action with a rationale

RELATE

draw connections among ideas

REVIEW

discuss the most important aspects of the concept

SUMMARIZE

briefly identify the most critical ideas

 

Special Note - Continuities. You're likely to see this word in several of your questions.

What does it mean?

  • a continuous or connected whole
  • the unbroken and consistent existence or operation of something over a period of time.

When you are asked to "Describe and explain significant continuities and changes..." you need to talk about things that stay the same thoughout a long period of time (continuities) AND what things changed over that period of time.

 

Access a pdf copy of the chart on this page, plus a few more question words for your notes by clicking here. Links to an external site.

 

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.