7. Appendix

Table 4: The most common instruction words for university assignments and exams

Instruction word

Definition – what you are expected to do

Account [give an]

Describe

Account for

Give reasons for

Analyse

Give an organised answer looking at all aspects

Apply

Put a theory into operation

Assess

Decide on value/importance

Brief account [give a]

Describe in a concise way

Comment on

Give your opinion

Compare [with]

Discuss similarities; draw conclusions on common areas

Compile

Make up (a list/plan/outline)

Consider

Describe/give your views on the subject

Contrast

Discuss differences/draw own view

Criticise

Point out weak/strong points, i.e. give a balanced answer

Define

Give the meaning of a term, concisely

Demonstrate

Show by example/evidence

Describe

Narrative on process/appearance/operation/sequence…

Devise

Make up

Discuss

Give own thoughts and support your opinion or conclusion

Evaluate

Decide on merit of situation/argument

Exemplify

Show by giving examples

Expand

Give more information

Explain

Give a reason for/say why

Explain how

Describe how something works

Identify

Pinpoint/list

Illustrate

Give examples

Indicate

Point out, but not in great detail

Justify

Support the argument for…

List

Make an organised list, e.g. events, components, aspects

Outline

Describe basic factors/limited information

Plan

Think about how to organise something

Report

Give an account of the process or event

Review

Write a report/give facts and views on facts

Show

Demonstrate with supporting evidence

Specify

Give details of something

State

Give a clear account of…

Summarise

Briefly give an account

Trace

Provide a brief chronology of events/process

Work out

Find a solution, e.g. as in a maths problem

(Adapted from McMillan & Weyers, 2007, p. 33)

About this website

EWRite is an open access online literacy platform for PolyU community that has two major objectives:

  • to support PolyU students’ literacy development within and across the disciplines
  • to support subject and language teachers to implement system-level measures for integrating literacy-sensitive pedagogies across the university

This platform provides access to generic genre guides representing typical university assignments as well as links to subjects offered by faculties with specific disciplinary genres and relevant support materials.

The materials can be retrieved by students by choosing the genres that interest them on the landing page. Each set of materials includes a genre guide, genre video, and a genre checklist. The genre guide and video are to summarize the genres in two different ways (i.e. textual and dynamic) to fit different learning styles. The genre checklist is for students to self-regulate their writing process. The genre guide and checklist include links to various ELC resources that can provide further explanation to language items (e.g. hedging and academic vocabulary).

The platform also acts as a one-stop-shop for writing resources for students, language teachers and subject leaders. Information about the English Writing Requirement policy can also be found on this platform. There are training materials for new colleagues joining the EWR Liaison Team.