Deconstructing an essay or a report

Amended from http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/write/essayquestions.jsp

The most obvious but most important part of writing a successful essay/report is to answer the question you have been asked.

Step 1: Get prepared

Make sure you know the essay/report due date and length (both minimum and maximum)

Step 2: Deconstruct the question

Essay titles typically contain key words that will help you with your interpretation and analysis of the question. You need to break the question topic down and look for these key words:

COMMAND TERMS tell you what you have to do with the topic, for example, analyse, compare, discuss. (there is a list of these at the end). CIRCLE THESE

CONTENT WORDS: tell you what areas of the subject you will need to address in your essay/report, and which ideas will form the base of the assignment. UNDERLINE THESE

LIMITING WORDS: define the scope and focus of your essay; they limit the subject matter so that you know what should and should not be included in your writing. HIGHLIGHT THESE

Step 3: Read the question AGAIN and ask yourself the following questions:

Ø  What is the essential subject matter of this essay/report — what information is required?

Ø  How does the question link to what I am covering in class and the MYP Unit question and significant concept of the unit.

Ø  What do I know about the topic?

Ø  How much research do I need to do?

Ø  What are the important or controversial issues to include?

Ø  Is there a public or academic controversy that I need to know about?

Step 5: Discuss the question with other students / your teacher

Discussing the question with other students will help ensure that you have understood the question and that you know what is required of you. If you are confused by any aspect of the question discuss this with your teacher.

Step 6: Read the Assessment criteria

This will ensure that your writing and research remain relevant to the topic, that you do not stray from the point and you do what both the question and criteria are asking you to do. Remember the essential elements in an essay ( introduction, body/development and conclusion) and those in a report (including terms of reference, background, findings, analysis, evaluation, conclusion, recommendation, bibliography and appendices)

Examples of essay/report question analysis

1.  Evaluate the effects of the 2008 Olympic Games on China’s international reputation.

COMMAND TERM / Evaluate (make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations of different evidence and the consequences on different stakeholders as well as present opinions and conclusions clearly, support with empirical evidence and sound argument. / This word commands you what to do with the topic
CONTENT WORDS / The effects of the 2008 Olympics / These words tell you what the subject matter of the essay question will be
LIMITING WORDS / On China’s International Relations / These words tell you what the boundaries of the topic will be

COMMAND TERMS

Humanities Command terms

Advise Offer suggestions/recommendations for a potential course of action.

Analyse Break down in order to bring out the essential elements, structure, any underlying assumptions and any interrelationships involved.

Annotate Add brief notes to a diagram or graph.

Apply Use an idea, principle or theory in relation to a problem or issue.

Calculate Give a precise numerical answer.

Classify Arrange or order by class or categories.

Comment Write an explanation of, or commentary on, the information given in relation to a problem or issue.

Compare Describe two (or more) situations and present the similarities between them.

Compare and contrast Give an account of similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

Contrast Give an account of the differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

Complete Add missing information/data.

Construct Present a variety of information in a diagrammatic or tabular form.

Contrast Describe two (or more) situations and present the differences between them.

Define Give a clear and precise meaning of a given word, term or concept.

Describe Present the characteristics of a particular topic.

Determine Obtain the only possible answer.

Discuss Offer a considered and balanced review of a particular topic. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by empirical evidence and sound argument.

Distinguish Make clear the differences between two or more concepts/terms.

Draw Represent by means of a labelled, accurate diagram or graph, using a pencil. A ruler (straight edge) should be used for straight lines. Diagrams should be drawn to scale. Graphs should have points correctly plotted (if appropriate) and joined in a straight line or smooth curve.

Estimate Obtain an approximate value.

Evaluate Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations of different evidence and arguments.

Examine Consider an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships of the issue.

Explain Describe, giving reasons.

Formulate Express precisely, clearly and in a systematic manner the relevant concept(s) or argument(s).

Identify Recognize and state briefly a distinguishing fact or feature.

Interpret Use knowledge and understanding to explain and, where appropriate, draw inferences from a given situation, problem or issue.

Justify Provide evidence to support or defend a choice, decision, strategy or course of action.

Label Add labels to a diagram.

Outline Give a brief explanation and/or summary of the issues, principles, or arguments stated in the question.

Prepare Put given data or information into a suitable business format.

Recommend Present an advisable course of action with appropriate supporting evidence/reasons, in relation to a given situation, problem or issue.

State Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation.

Suggest Propose a solution, hypothesis or other possible answer.

To what extent Evaluate the success or otherwise of an argument or concept. Opinions and conclusions should be presented clearly and supported with empirical evidence and sound argument.

Note: ‘critically’ is a word often used in conjunction with another directive word such as ‘critically discuss’, ‘critically examine’ or ‘critically analyse’. It does not mean criticise. Instead, it requires a balanced answer that points out mistakes or weaknesses, and which also indicates any favorable aspects of the subject. The decision or overall judgment you make about the factors that you are discussing must be supported with evidence from reliable sources.

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