Verbs

Research papers argue, analyze, compare and contrast, or describe a particular problem or issue. One (or more) of these "action words" (verbs) is likely to appear on your assignment. In short:

  • Argue means to advocate and promote a particular side of an issue.
  • Analyze means to study how parts interact and relate to a whole.
  • Compare and contrast finds commonalities and differences and draws conclusions from them.
  • Describe gives a verbal account of an event, activity, or process.

With your the directions for your assignment in hand, answer the questions below.

2.1 Identify the verbs ("action words") in your assignment and list them here:



2.2 What approach do those verbs in your assignment suggest?



2.3 What sections are required in your paper (introduction, methodology, discussion, references, etc.)?



2.4 Briefly describe any special instructions for this assignment (page minimum, formatting, fonts, books and article sources only, etc).