STUDY SKILLS BOOK - Assumption University

events. (Does not necessarily mean *write a Romannumeral/letter outline*.)• PROVE: Support with facts (especially facts presentedin class or in the test).• STATE: Explain precisely.• SUMMARIZE: Give a brief, condensed account.Include conclusions. Avoid unnecessary details.• TRACE: Show the order of events or progress of asubject or event.If any of these terms is still unclear to you, go to your unabridgeddictionary. Thorough knowledge of these words will enable you togive the teacher what she/he is requesting.TERMS OR DIRECTIVES FOR ESSAYS,REPORTS, & ANSWERINGEXAM QUESTIONSThese words are “directives”and ask you to answer, orpresent information, in a particularway. Review these, andmost of all note that there aredifferent ways of answering aquestion or writing a paper!Compare: Examine qualities, orcharacteristics, to discover resemblances.“Compare” is usuallystated as “compare with”:you are to emphasize similarities,although differences may be mentioned.Contrast: Stress dissimilarities, differences, or unlikeness ofthings, qualities, events, or problems.Criticize: Express your judgment or correctness or merit. Discussthe limitations and good points or contributions of the plan or workin question.Define: Definitions call for concise, clear, authoritative meanings.Details are not required but limitations of the definition should bebriefly cited. You must keep in mind the class to which a thingbelongs and whatever differentiates the particular object from allothers in the class.Describe: In a descriptive answer you should recount, characterize,sketch or relate in narrative form.Diagram: For a question which specifies a diagram you shouldpresent a drawing, chart, plan, or graphic representation in youranswer. Generally you are expected to label the diagram and insome cases 38 add a brief explanation or description.STUDY SKILLS BOOK A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS 35