The following are guidelines that you can use to help you correctly answer essay questions.
Most essay test items are not presented in the form of a question but in a statement that includes a direction word. The direction word tells you what you should do when you write your answer to the question. Look for the direction word and be sure to do what it tells you to do.
Examples of direction words
Analyze
Analyze tells you to break something down into its parts and show how the parts relate to each other to make the whole.
Example: Analyze the factors that contribute to good health.
Compare
Compare tells you to show how two or more things are BOTH similar and different.
Example: Compare the forms of government found in the United States and in China.
Contrast
Contrast tells you to show how two or more things are different.
Example: Contrast the Republican and Democratic political platforms.
Define
Define tells you to explain the meaning of something in a brief, specific manner.
Example: Define what is meant by "living life to the fullest."
Describe
Describe tells you to present a full and detailed picture of something in words to include important characteristics and qualities.
Example: Describe what it was like to live in ancient Rome.
Diagram
Diagram tells you to illustrate something by drawing a picture of it and labeling its parts.
Example: Diagram a modern commercial jet airplane.
Evaluate
Evaluate tells you to present both the positive and negative characteristics of something.
Example: Evaluate the impact of rap music on American youth.
Explain
Explain tells you to provide facts and reasons to make something clear and understandable.
Example: Explain hy the American Civil War occurred.
Justify
Justify tells you to provide reasons and facts in support of something.
Example: Justify the need for the federal income tax.
List
List tells you to present information about something as a series of brief numbered points.
Example: List the ingredients needed to bake bread.
Outline
Outline tells you to present the most important information about something in a carefully organized manner.
Example: Outline what it takes to be successful in school.
Summarize
Summarize tells you to present the main points about something in a brief form.
Example: Summarize how Thomas Edison's inventions have made our lives better.
Trace
Trace tells you to present the order in which something occurred.
Example: Trace the major events that led to America's Declaration of Independence.
Source: http://www.how-to-study.com
