| Common Academic Writing Tasks |
|---|
| Writing Task Word |
Explanation |
|---|
| Analyze | Break the subject (an object, event, or concept) down into parts, and explain the various parts. |
| Compare |
Show how two things are similar as well as different; include details or examples. |
| Contrast | Show how two things are differen; include details or examples. |
Critique | Point out both the good and bad points of something. |
| Define | Give an accurate meaning of a term with enough detail to show that you really understand it. |
| Describe | Write about the subject so the reader can easily visualize it; tell how it looks or happened, including how, who, where, and why. |
| Discuss | Give a complete and detailed answer, including important characteristics and main points. |
| Evaluate | Give your opinion of the value of the subject; discuss its good and bad points, strengths and weaknesses. |
| Explain | Give the meaning of something; give facts and details that make the idea easy to understand. |
| Illustrate | Make the point or idea clear by giving examples. |
| Interpret | Explain the meaning of a reading selection; discuss the results or the effects of something. |
| Justify | Give good reasons that support a particular decision, action, or event. |
| Persuade | Give good reasons in order to get someone to do or believe something; appeal to the reader's feelings and mind. |
| Respond | State your overall reaction to the content, then support your individual opinions with specific reasons and examples, making sure to refer back to the reading. |
| State | Give the main points in brief, clear form. |
| Summarize | Briefly cover the main points; use a paragraph form and don't include any personal opinions about the content. |
| Trace | Tell about an event or process in chronological order. |