To what extent...? - Explore the case for a stated proposition or explanation, much in the manner of 'assess' and 'criticise' ), probably arguing for a less than total acceptance of the proposition., How far - Similar to 'to what extent...?', Identify - Pick out what you regard as the key features of something, perhaps making clear the criteria you use., Illustrate - Similar to 'explain', but probably asking for the quoting of specific examples or statistics or possibly the drawing of maps, graphs, sketches etc., Interpret - Clarify something or 'explain', perhaps indicating how the thing relates to some other thing or perspective, Justify - Express valid reasons for accepting a particular interpretation or conclusion, probably including the need to 'argue' (see above) a case., Outline - Indicate the main features of a topic or sequence of events, possibly setting them within a clear structure or framework to show how they interrelate., Prove - Demonstrate the truth of something by offering irrefutable evidence and/or logical sequence of statements leading from evidence to conclusion., Reconcile - Show how two apparently opposed or mutually exclusive ideas or propositions can be seen to be similar in important respects, if not identical. Involves need to 'analyse' and 'justify', Relate - Either 'explain' how things happened or are connected in a cause-and-effect sense, or may imply 'compare' and 'contrast', Review - Survey a topic, with the emphasis on 'assess' rather than 'describe', State - Express the main points of an idea or topic, perhaps in the manner of 'describe' or 'enumerate', Summarise - 'State' the main features of an argument, omitting all superfluous detail and side-issues., Trace - Identify the connection between one thing and another either in a developmental sense over a period of time, or else in a cause and effect sense. May imply both 'describe' and 'explain',

PART 2: Directive/task words used in university assessments

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