Directive words
Account for: Explain why and give reasons based on evidence.
Analyse: Break it down into parts and examine in detail to see how it fits together.
Argue: Discuss and reason.  Present the case for and against a particular idea.
Comment: Give an opinion based on the evidence you have examined.
Compare: Find similarities and differences between ideas.
Contrast: Show the differences between ideas and assess how different they are.
Critically evaluate: Assess the strength of the evidence for or against particular theories, opinions or models.  Evaluate each one and come to a clear overall view. 
Criticise: Give your judgement about the merits and defects of theories or opinions and back judgement by a discussion of the evidence. 
Debate: Present the evidence for and against a particular point.
Describe: Give a detailed account; say what it is.
Discuss: Examine in detail and give explanatory reasons (for and against if appropriate).  Come to your own conclusion based on the evidence.
Estimate: Weigh up the evidence and say by how much a theory or opinion may be preferable.
Evaluate: Appraise the value of something and come to an opinion based on evidence.
Examine: Investigate in detail and discuss.
Explain: Give reasons; make clear why something is the way it is.
Explore: Investigate a concept, idea, issue or opinion, showing that you understand why there might be debate.
How important: Estimate the worth of an opinion, theory or concept and put it in context (e.g. time, place, movement).
Illustrate: Explain and give clear examples as evidence in support of points made.
Interpret: Explain the underlying meaning and give your own judgement.
In what ways: Give a number of descriptions and explanations. 
Justify: Give reasons for decisions or conclusions and support these with evidence.
Outline: Give an overview covering the key points and relationships between them.  
Relate: Show how things are connected to each other and the extent to which they affect each other.
Review: Examine the subject critically and come to a view.
Show how: Give the main characteristics or features, or outline a sequence, and use illustrative examples or other evidence in support. 
State: Present the main features or key ideas clearly.
Summarise: Give a brief account or overview of the whole without going into detail.
To what extent: Consider how far something is true and the ways in which it is not true.

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