Instruction verbs
What are instruction verbs?
Verbs in essay questions that tell us what we are expected to do. They are also called task verbs or command words.
What is the difference between “describe” and “explain”?
Describe gives details; explain gives reasons or shows how something works.
What is the technique of writing down as many relevant ideas as possible in a short time?
Brainstorming
A student writes down ideas about travel, education, jobs, and films for the topic “The advantages of learning English.” What technique are they using?
Brainstorming
Which instruction verb means “to explain the exact meaning of a word or concept”?
define
What is the difference between “compare” and “contrast”?
Compare focuses on similarities; contrast focuses on differences.
A visual diagram that starts with a central topic and connects it to related ideas and examples
Mind mapping
A student creates a diagram with “Social Media” in the center and connects it to mental health, communication, and entertainment. What technique is this?
mind mapping
Which instruction verb means “to give details about a person, place, situation, or process”?
describe
What is the difference between “summarize” and “analyze”?
Summarize presents the main points in shorter form; analyze examines deeply and explains relationships between parts
A student has several arguments but keeps repeating the same points in the essay. Which prewriting tool could help organize the ideas into an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion?
Outline
A student has brainstormed ten ideas for an essay. What should they do next before writing the full essay?
They should select the strongest and most relevant ideas
Which instruction verb means “to make something clear by giving reasons or showing how something works”?
Explain
A task asks you to examine the causes and effects of pollution. Which verb is more suitable: describe or analyze?
Analyze.
During which technique should students continue writing for several minutes without stopping to correct grammar or spelling?
Free writing
What steps should you follow before writing an essay?
Read the question carefully.
Identify the main verb.
Brainstorm ideas.
Select the strongest points.
Prepare an outline.
Two essay titles have the same topic: “Learning English.” One asks you to provide details about its benefits, while the other asks you to judge how valuable those benefits are. Which two instruction verbs create this difference?
Describe and evaluate
student writes a short version of an article but adds personal opinions and detailed explanations. Which instruction verb should they follow instead, and what should they remove?
Summarize. They should remove personal opinions and unnecessary details, keeping only the main points.
A student is writing about pollution but cannot think of enough arguments. They ask: “Who is affected?”, “Where is it most serious?”, and “How can we reduce it?” Which idea-generating technique are they using
WH questions
Give an example of a thesis statement for “Should students use smartphones in class?”
“Students should be allowed to use smartphones in class for educational purposes, provided that clear rules prevent distractions.”