Common Direction Words in Academic Writing Prompts

Break the subject (an object, event, or concept) down into parts, and explain the various parts.

• trace

• state

• analyze

• discuss

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.7.6

State a claim on an issue and support it with reasons and evidence from sources

• argue

• define

• evaluate

• summarize

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

Show how two things are similar and different; include details or examples.

• synthesize

• state

• discuss

• compare

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Show how two things are different; include details or examples.

• critique

• contrast

• interpret

• illustrate

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.5

CCSS.RI.5.5

CCSS.RI.6.5

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

Provide an objective overview of the topic and important details form a text.

• discuss

• summarize

• critique

• trace

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

Give an accurate meaning of a term with enough detail to show that you really understand it

• define

• interpret

• justify

• argue

white about the subject so the reader can easily visualize it; tell how it looks or happened, including how, who, where, why.

• state

• respond

• describe

• argue

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.7.6

give the meaning of something

• analyze

• persuade

• respond

• explain

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.9

CCSS.RI.7.9

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

give convincing reasons in order to get someone to do or believe something

• persuade

• explain

• state

• analyze

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

state your overall reaction to the content

• argue

• define

• respond

• summarize

Tags

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

CCSS.L.6.6