importance of essay questions

Five Common Types of Essay Exam Questions and What They Mean

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Prompts are words that explain how you should structure your response to an essay exam question. These explanations serve as general guidelines. Depending on your course, there may be exceptions to what these prompts mean.

1. Explain 

State your opinion and describe your thought process. Clarify the meaning of these words within the context of your course.

Discuss 

Consider various points of view; carefully analyze and give reasons to support your ideas. 

Analyze 

Summarize in detail and with a clear focus; consider parts of ideas and their relationships. In some contexts, analysis may involve evaluation. 

Explain 

Clarify, interpret, or give reasons for differences in opinion or results; analyze causes. 

Illustrate 

Use words, pictures, diagrams, or concrete examples to clarify a point. 

Outline 

Organize a description based on main and subordinate points, stress the arrangement and classification of the subject. 

Describe the evolution, development, or progress of the subject in a narrative form.

Respond to the question and defend a judgment on the issue, idea, or question involved. The underlying questions to answer include “to what extent?” and “how well?”

Criticize 

Judge the truth or usefulness of the views or factors mentioned in the question. 

Give your views, mention limitations and advantages; include the opinion of authorities and give evidence to support your position.

Interpret 

Translate, give examples, or comment on a subject; include your own viewpoint.

Review 

Critically examine a subject; analyze and comment upon it or statements made about it.

Analyze at least two different ideas in terms of their similarities and differences. You may also discuss the connections between these ideas.

Compare 

Look for qualities that resemble each other, emphasize similarities, but also note differences.

Show how ideas or concepts are connected to each other.

Contrast 

Stress the differences of ideas, concepts, events, and problems; also note similarities.

Take a position and defend your argument against reasonable alternatives.

Prove 

Establish the truth of a statement by using evidence and logical reasoning.

Justify 

Show strong reasons for decisions or conclusions; use convincing arguments based on evidence.

5. Identify

Give a direct answer. You may not be required to provide further explanation. These questions are not usually seen on essay exams. However, when they do appear, you are still expected to explain and elaborate upon your ideas.

Write a series of concise statements.

Write in a list or outline; make concise points one by one.

Describe 

Recount, characterize, sketch, relate in a sequence or story.

Give clear, concise, authoritative meanings.

State 

Present main points in brief clear sequence; usually omit the minor details and examples.

Give the main points or facts in condensed form; omit details and illustrations.

Give a graphic answer, drawing, chart, plan, or schematic representation.

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