Written Communication Toolkit

The terminology

Students need to understand what the terms used in assessment items mean. For example:

Reference list of commonly used terms in writing assignments
Account for	Give an explanation as to why
Analyse	1. Examine closely 2. Examine x in terms of its components and show how they interrelate
Assess	Decide the value of
Compare	Discuss x and y in terms of their similarities and differences
Contrast	Discuss x and y in terms of their differences
Critically evaluate	Articulate the arguments on both sides of an issue by arguing for and against
Criticise	Make judgments or show the relative merits of an argument
Define	1. Explain (make clear) what is meant by 2. Use a definition or definitions to explore the concept of
Describe	Present an account of
Differentiate	Discriminate between two or more factors
Discuss	1. Make x your subject 2. Consider and offer some interpretation or evaluation of
Enumerate	Give an item-by-item account of
Evaluate	Give a reasoned appraisal or assessment of the facts or argument presented
Examine	Inspect and report on in detail
Explain	1. Make clear the details of 2. Show the reason for, or underlying cause of, or the means by which
Illustrate	Offer an example or examples to 1.  show how/that 2.  make concrete the concept of
Indicate	Focus attention on
Interpret	Explain or bring out the particular meaning
Outline	Go through the main features of
Prove	Show by logical argument
Review	1.  Report the chief facts about 2.  Offer a critique about
Summarise	Provide a brief account or an abridged version

Adapted from: Peters, P. (1985). Strategies for Student Writers: A Guide to Writing Essays, Tutorial Papers, Exam Papers and Reports . John Wiley & Sons Australia: Brisbane, p.23. and Dwyer, J. (1993). The Business Communication Handbook , (3 rd ed.) Prentice Hall, NY.

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