3.8 Understanding process words
| Process word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Account for | explain, clarify, give reasons for |
| Analyse | resolve into its component parts examine critically or minutely |
| Assess | determine the value of, weigh up (see also Evaluate) |
| Compare | look for similarities and differences between examples perhaps reach conclusion about which is preferable and justify this clearly |
| Contrast | set in opposition in order to bring out the differences sharply |
| Compare and contrast | find some points of common ground between x and y and show where or how they differ |
| Criticise | make a judgement backed by a discussion of the evidence of reasoning involved about the merit of theories or opinions or about the truth of assertions |
| Define | state the exact meaning of a word or phrase, in some cases it may be necessary or desirable to examine different possible or often used definitions |
| Describe | give a detailed account of |
| Discuss | explain, then give two sides of the issue and any implications |
| Distinguish/Differentiate between | look for differences between |
| Evaluate | make an appraisal of the worth/validity/effectiveness of something in the light of its truth or usefulness (see also Assess) |
| Examine the argument that | look in details at this line of argument |
| Explain | give details about how and why something is so |
| How far / To what extent | usually involves looking at evidence / arguments for and against and weighing them up |
| Illustrate | make clear and explicit, usually requires the use of carefully chosen examples |
| Justify | show adequate grounds for decisions or conclusions and answer the main objections likely to be made about them |
| Outline | give the main features or general principles of a subject, omitting minor details and emphasising structure and arrangement |
| State | present in a brief, clear form |
| Summarise | give a concise, clear explanation or account of the topic, presenting the chief factors and omitting minor details and examples (see also Outline) |
| What arguments can be made for and against this view? | look at both sides of this argument |
Mathematicians use process words with slightly different meanings, as in Table 3.
| Process word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Write down, state, give | write down without justification |
| Find, calculate, determine, explain, derive, solve, evaluate | work out and show your working |
| Prove, show, deduce, explain | you must justify each step and provide a convincing argument |