Effective answers to essay questions depend in part upon a clear understanding (and execution) of the meanings of important directive words. These are the words that indicate the way in which the material is to be presented. Students should be aware that while background knowledge of the subject matter is essential, mere evidence of this knowledge is not enough. For example, if students only describe when they are asked to compare or if they merely list causes when they have been asked to evaluate them, the response will be less than satisfactory. An essay can only begin to be correct if it answers directly the question that is asked.

KEY TERMS

1. Analyze: determine the nature and relationship of the component parts of; explain; break down. “Analyze the major social, political, and technological changes that took place in European warfare between 1789 and 1918.”

2. Assess: judge the value or character of something; appraise; evaluate. ” ‘The essential cause of the French Revolution was the collision between a powerful, rising bourgeoisie and an entrenched aristocracy defending its privileges.’ Assess the validity of this statement as an explanation of the events leading up to the French Revolution of 1789.”

3. Compare: examine for the purpose of noting similarities and differences. “Compare the rise of power of fascism in Italy and in Germany.” 

4. Contrast: examine in order to show dissimilarities or points of difference. “Contrast the ways in which European skilled artisans of the mid-eighteenth century and European factory workers of the late nineteenth century differed in their attitudes toward work.

5. Describe: give an account of; tell about; give a word picture of. Describe the steps taken between 1832 and 1918 to extend the suffrage in England. What groups and movements contributed to the extension of the vote?”

6. Discuss: talk over; write about; consider or examine by argument or from various points of view; debate; present the different sides of. “Discuss the extent to which nineteenth-century romanticism was or was not a conservative cultural and intellectual movement.”

7. Evaluate: give the positive points and negative ones; appraise; give an opinion regarding the value of; discuss the advantages and disadvantages of. ” ‘Luther was both a revolutionary and a conservative.’ Evaluate this statement with respect to Luther’s responses to the political and social questions of his day.”

8. Explain: make clear or plain; make known in detail; tell the meaning of; make clear the cause or reason of. “Explain how economic, technological, political, and religious factors promoted European explorations from about 1450 to about 1525.”