Tips on Answering Assignments

• Develop Acronyms such as, MEEP (for materials, equipment, environment, and people)

• Read the assignment carefully. Pay particular attention to the direction word (or words) used in the question. Underline action verbs and think about what the question is asking you to do. Action verbs include:

  Analyze. Break into parts. Discuss, examine, or interpret each part.
  Compare. Examine two or more things. Identify similarities and differences.
  Contrast. Show difference. Set in opposition.
  Criticize. Make a judgments - involves analysis and evaluation with justification.
  Define. Explain the exact meaning of the term.
  Describe. Give a detailed work picture of characteristics, qualities, parts, etc.
  Discuss. Consider the pros and cons of an issue. Define, expand on, state positions of the issue. If you also evaluate, be sure to justify.
  Evaluate. Judge or rate the effectiveness, rightness, quality of something. Include evidence to support the judgment.
  Explain. Make an idea clear. Show logically how a concept is developed.
  Illustrate. Explain, clarify, or support using examples and/or diagrams.
  Interpret. Explain the meaning. Describe, show relationships.
  Justify. Argue or give reasons for supporting some position, decision, or finding. Support with facts, logical reasoning, and examples.
  Label. Point out and name specific parts.
  List. Also Enumerate. List several reasons, steps, ideas, events, things, etc.
  Outline. Describe main ideas, characteristics, or events.
  Prove. Also justify.
  Relate. Show the connections between ideas or events.
  Review: Comment on the main parts of a problem/series of statements/events in an appropriate order.
  State. Explain precisely.
  Summarize. Give a brief, condensed account. Include conclusions, and justify. Focus on the issue and avoid unnecessary details.
  Trace. Show the order of events or the progress of a subject/event.

• Look at all of the questions before answering. Start with the easiest assignment. Your subconscious will work on the others while you complete the first one.

• Rephrase the question in your opening sentence. Repeat key words found in the question to show your answer is clear and on target.

• Use Transitional Words. Use words such as first, second, next, finally, on the other hand, consequently, furthermore, in conclusion.
• Pretend the instructor is completely ignorant of the assignment topic. (Hey, I don't claim to know it all! ;-)

• Use primarily facts and logic, not your feelings about something; assignments are testing comprehension of a subject matter.

• Include only one main idea per paragraph -- state your idea precisely and then follow this statement immediately supporting factual or logical evidence.

Proofread Your Answer. Look for careless mistakes, check for misspelled or illegible words, and make sure your subjects and verbs agree.