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● Analyse: ​When asked to analyse, you have to examine methodically

the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component


parts and present them as a whole in a summery. It is the same as
evaluation, assessment or examination plus your opinion is also
needed here. So, once you give your opinion it means you are
interpreting the event according to your knowledge apart from
detailed explanations​. ​Break an issue into its constituent parts. Look
in depth at each part using supporting arguments and evidence for
and against as well as how these interrelate to one another. Consider
a topic in detail in order to discover essential features or meaning
(give controlled suggestions).
1. When it comes to ​critically analyse​, ​you need to conclude a fair
judgement, after analysing the nature of each component part and
interrelationship between them.
2. Characterize: ​Describe the distinctive nature or features of.
3. Clarify: ​Literally make something clearer and, where appropriate,
simplify it. This could involve, for example, explaining in simpler
terms a complex process or theory, or the relationship between two
variables.
4. Comment: ​The directive ‘comment’ is usually followed by a
statement made by some famous personality, or taken out from a
famous book. When you are asked to comment, you have to pick
main points and give your ‘opinion’ on them based on evidences or
arguments stemming from your wide reading. Your opinion may be
for or against, but you must back your argument with evidences.
These types of question offer you a chance to consolidate your
reading of different subjects to justify your opinion.
5. Critically comment​ is also forming opinion on main points but in
the end you must provide a fair judgement.
6. Compare: ​Identify the similarities and differences between two or
more phenomena. Say if any of the shared similarities or differences
are more important than others. ‘Compare’ and ‘contrast’ will often
feature together in an essay question. Examine for the purpose of
noting similarities and differences.
7. Consider:​ Say what you think and have observed about something.
Back up your comments using appropriate evidence from external
sources, or your own experience. Include any views which are
contrary to your own and how they relate to what you originally
thought.
8. Contrast / Distinguish:​ Similar to compare but concentrate on the
dissimilarities between two or more phenomena, or what sets them
apart. Point out any differences which are particularly significant.
Contrast means write differences not similarities. You can write
similarities as well as differences if asked to Compare and Contrast.
9. Critically: ​An important term and a favorite of UPSC. Whenever it
is asking Critically Examine, Critically Comment or Critically Analyze
just remember that you have to write both pros and cons and give a
fair, unbiased or value loaded judgement. It should always give a
feeling of closure. Critically means ‘in a way that involves the
objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a
judgement.’ When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, all
you need to do is look at the good and bad of something and give a
fair judgement.
10. Define: ​This simply means write the definition. A bit of memory
helps here as you should try to reproduce verbatim and at least
include all possible keywords and phrases which you know are
essential parts of that particular definition. To give in precise terms
the meaning of something. Bring to attention any problems posed
with the definition and different interpretations that may exist.
11. Demonstrate: ​Show how, with examples to illustrate.
12. Discuss:​ Essentially this is a written debate where you are using
your skill at reasoning, backed up by carefully selected evidence to
make a case for and against an argument, or point out the advantages
and disadvantages of a given context. So, talk over, write about,
consider or examine by argument or from various point of view;
debate; present the different sides but you have to give reasons for
both for against arguments. And remember to arrive at a conclusion.
To write about an idea in detail showing the different ideas and
opinions about it. This is a presentation of an idea & its contents and
opinion of other significant person on it.
13. Elaborate / Expand: ​It means detailed explanation. To give in
more detail, provide more information on.
14. Elucidate: ​Elucidate means make it clear with examples to make it
clear.
15. Enumerate:​ Simply list the points about the topic and don't give
detailed explanation.
16. Evaluate / Assess:​ Weigh up to what extent something is true.
Persuade the reader of your argument by citing relevant research but
also remember to point out any flaws and counter-arguments as well.
Conclude by stating clearly how far you are in agreement with the
original proposition. Give your verdict as to what extent a statement
or findings within a piece of research are true, or to what extent you
agree with them. Provide evidence taken from a wide range of
sources which both agree with and contradict an argument. Come to
a final conclusion, basing your decision on what you judge to be the
most important factors and justify how you have made your choice.
Judge the value or character of something; appraise; evaluate the
positive points and the negative ones; give an opinion regarding the
value of; discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
17. Estimate:​ Measurement of positive & negative of an idea. It doesn't
show exact situation. (Note: No conclusion is written in this type of
question).
18. Examine:​ Look in close detail and establish the key facts and
important issues surrounding a topic. This should be a critical
evaluation and you should try and offer reasons as to why the facts
and issues you have identified are the most important, as well as
explain the different ways they could be construed. Detailed
explanations are required. Write in details whatever you know,
include one to two lines of introduction followed by three to four
lines in favor and three to four lines against the given topic. One to
two lines of implications if any, and then limitations of the concepts
and finally the conclusion in two to three lines needs to be added.
19. Explain:​ Clarify a topic by giving a detailed account as to how and
why it occurs, or what is meant by the use of this term in a particular
context. Your writing should have clarity so that complex procedures
or sequences of events can be understood, defining key terms where
appropriate, and be substantiated with relevant research. Make clear
or plain; make clear the causes or reasons for; make known in detail;
tell the meaning of. To tell somebody about something in a way that
makes it easy to understand; illustrating example.
20.Explore:​ Adopt a questioning approach and consider a variety of
different viewpoints. Where possible reconcile opposing views by
presenting a final line of argument.
21. Give an account of: ​Means give a detailed description of
something. Not to be confused with ‘account for’ which asks you not
only what, but why something happened.
22. Identify:​ Determine what the key points to be addressed are and
implications thereof. Cite specific events, phenomena, and show a
connection.
23. Illustrate / Exemplify:​ A similar instruction to ‘explain’ whereby
you are asked to show the workings of something, making use of
definite examples and statistics if appropriate to add weight to your
explanation.
24. Implications / Consequences / Outcomes / Results:​ Write
about the possible scenario or impact of the event in question.
25. Interpret:​ Demonstrate your understanding of an issue or topic.
This can be the use of particular terminology by an author, or what
the findings from a piece of research suggest to you. In the latter
instance, comment on any significant patterns and causal
relationships.
26. Justify / Advocate: ​Here you have to argue in favor of and write
favorable comments as far as reasonably possible. Make a case by
providing a body of evidence to support your ideas and points of
view. In order to present a balanced argument, consider opinions
which may run contrary to your own before stating your conclusion.
27. Narrate / Describe: ​This is the easiest thing to do and just
theoretical knowledge is required here. You have to write basically its
parts, what it is made up of, constituents, characteristics and
attributes. Provide a detailed explanation as to how and why
something happens. Give an account in words of (someone or
something), including all the relevant characteristics, qualities, or
events.
28.Outline: ​Convey the main points placing emphasis on global
structures and interrelationships rather than minute detail. Just give
description of main facts involved.
29. Purpose / Goal / Objective / Target: ​What is to be achieved,
what is the purpose, the goal, the objectives or the targets?
30.Review:​ Look thoroughly into a subject. This should be a critical
assessment and not merely descriptive.
31. Substantiate: ​Support your answer with evidences (case studies).
32. Show how: ​Present, in a logical order, and with reference to
relevant evidence the stages and combination of factors that give rise
to something.
33. Significance / Importance: ​What happens because it exists or
what happen if it doesn't exist.
34. State: ​To specify in clear terms the key aspects pertaining to a topic
without being overly descriptive. Refer to evidence and examples
where appropriate.
35. Summarise: ​Give a condensed version drawing out the main facts
and omit superfluous information. Brief or general examples will
normally suffice for this kind of answer.

36. To what extent: ​Evokes a similar response to questions containing


'How far...’ This type of question calls for a thorough assessment of
the evidence in presenting your argument. Explore alternative
explanations where they exist.
DISCUSS -​ To express your opinion (in totality) about something. For instance , a

discussion on GST Bill will include both the negatives as well as positives.

EXPLAIN- ​To put forward a piece of information about something. For instance

explaining the phenomena of Bio-magnification and its impact on the food chain.

COMMENT-​ To simply express one’s opinion. For instance, commenting on the

state of Indian politics.

​ o carefully analyse something. For


EXAMINE/CRITICALLY EXAMINE - T

instance, to examine the peace keeping role of United Nations in middle eastern

countries.

EVALUATE/CRITICALLY EVALUATE- ​To determine something. For instance,

to evaluate the strategic importance of Indian Ocean.

Note:​ When the word critically gets prefixed to any word, it means that it is

expected of you to judge a concept in its entirety.

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