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Successful University Study

Tips and tools to streamline the study process.

Understanding assignment questions

Understanding assessment instruction words is a important first step towards writing a quality written response. Key words, such as 'Analyse', 'Evaluate', or 'Critique', are not just vocabulary; they are explicit directions that define the scope and requirements of an assignment. Ignoring or misinterpreting them can lead to a well-written but off-topic response, resulting in a lower grade. The following list provides an overview of these terms, and will help to accurately identify what is being asked and provides guidance as to how to structure work to meet the specific demands of each question.

Mastering the language of assignments, can help to produce  focused, relevant, and well-structured responses that demonstrate understanding of the topic and the assessment criteria.

Click on the word in the list to show more information.

Instruction Words Guide

Instruction Words

Select an instruction word to view its details.

Quiz

This  quiz includes common academic instruction words.

You'll be presented with essay prompts missing a key word. Your task is to drag and drop the best  word into the blank to complete the prompt.