Biology Research Guide

Keyword

Writing Goal

What does it mean?

Similarities, Differences

Compare and/or contrast 

Look for similar and dissimilar ideas in your material. Why is each point important? What do these similarities and differences tell you about the subject’s ideas? 

Evaluate

Rate or make a judgment 

Use evidence and logic to prove whether your subject or material is strong or weak, valuable or invaluable, significant or insignificant. How does this evaluation change one’s understanding?

Summarize

Describe, Explain

Write about the most important aspects of the topic. Optional: give background information, content information, and analysis as necessary. 

Discuss

Provide an extended description, explanation or analysis, including illustrations or details

Your prompt is asking you to observe, unpack, and talk about a certain topic or aspect of the topic. Begin by deciding how you will approach the topic, or what exactly you want to say about the topic. Once you have your "angle," focus your argument on validating this angle while still keeping other opinions in the mix as counterarguments.

Interpret

Decode, decipher, convey the meaning of

Translate what something means. What do you understand the material’s message to be? What details helped you come to that conclusion? Why is it important to understand it in that way?

Argue

Persuade, convince

Take a stance towards an issue and write to convince your audience of your viewpoint.

Analyze
 

Examine, Think critically  

Critically consider the material by looking closely at all elements of the text you are writing about. Provide a detailed discussion of the material. This might be where a professional and logical critique comes into your writing. 

Reflect

Connect to personal experience

Write about the material and connect it back to a personal experience so that a general audience can relate and understand.