The first step of an assignment is to read the instructions carefully to understand what is required. However, some words in the instructions can be difficult to understand. This page provides examples of common instructional words and explains their meanings.
Sample assignment instructions and word meanings
Read the sample assignment instructions and the definitions of the instructional words used in them.
Example 1: reflective assignment
Reflect on your experiences working in a team during this semester. Describe specific instances where you faced challenges and how you overcame them. Analyse the skills you developed and assess how these experiences have contributed to your personal growth. Summarise your reflections in a 1,000-word essay.
Reflect: Think deeply about a topic, experience, or situation and describe the circumstances and importance of it. Visit the Reflective writing section of the Learning Lab for more information.
Describe: Explain what something is like in detail. For example, in Example 1, you have been asked to explain your challenges and solutions to these challenges.
Analyse: Break down the issue into parts, discuss them, and show their connections.
Summarise: Provide the main points of an article, issue or theme without deep analysis.
Example 2: presentation
Prepare a 10-minute presentation on emerging technologies in healthcare. Explain how these technologies are transforming patient care and medical practices. Illustrate your points with case studies and statistical data. Evaluate the potential benefits and challenges associated with these technologies.
Explain: Make something clear by describing it in detail.
Illustrate: Clarify or explain using specific examples, diagrams, or charts.
Evaluate: Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of an argument, theme or study.
Example 3: essay
Discuss the role of governments in economic development. Critique historical examples and current policies and outline different economic theories relevant to the topic. Review literature on the potential advantages and disadvantages of government intervention in the economy. Write a 2,000-word essay addressing these points.
Discuss: Explore a topic in detail and present different viewpoints.
Critique: Evaluate in detail, describing both strengths and weaknesses.
Outline: Provide a structured summary, highlighting the main points without in-depth analysis.
Review: Critically examine and summarise a topic. This often includes your evaluation of different views or theories that you have summarised.
Example 4: case study analysis
Examine the economic impact of climate change on the agricultural sector in a specific region. Quantify the changes in crop yields, production costs, and market prices over the past decade. Interpret the data to identify trends and potential future impacts. Justify your analysis with evidence from credible sources and relevant economic theories.
Examine: Explore a topic in detail.
Quantify: Express in numerical terms, providing data or statistical evidence.
Interpret: Explain the meaning or significance of something. If you interpret data, you look at it to uncover and explain patterns or trends.
Justify: Provide reasons or evidence to support an idea, theory, or argument.
