To determine what you are being asked to do, it is helpful to start with the terminology used in the assignment description.
Analyze (or outline, or explain)
- break the topic down into key elements and details
- identify and describe causes, key factors or features, possible results, and relationships among these elements
- offer your informed, critical interpretation of the above.
Compare (and/or contrast)
- offer an argument (not a list) based on similarities and differences between two or more things.
- see Compare and contrast essays
Examine (or explore, or investigate)
- take a diagnostic approach
- inquire or look into closely, perhaps to uncover a motive, cause, theme, etc.
- seek out core issues, suggest possible interpretations / solutions.
Argue
- take a position on a topic and support your position with evidence and interpretation
- give reasons for or against something.
Debate
- present opposing viewpoints on a topic
- give reasons for and against something.
Evaluate (or judge, criticize, or assess)
- determine the value or significance of something; offer evidence to support your evaluation.
Describe
- depict or delineate in words
- place more emphasis on what something is and how it occurs, than on why it occurs.
Define
- give the meaning of something
- describe its essential qualities.
Trace
- follow the course, development, or history of something.
Review
- summarize and perhaps evaluate the key aspects of the material.
Document
- follow the development, course or history of something, but emphasize the use of scholarly sources, references and citations in supporting your approach
- prove, using scholarly sources and evidence.
Discuss
- comment on, talk over, write about the topic using whatever approach seems appropriate (i.e., any of the approaches listed in this chart).