Use the BUG technique.

This is a metacognitive technique designed to help you correctly interpret questions. The BUG technique stands for:

  • Box
    Put a box around the command word(s) (see list below). This also serves as a quick reminder when you come back to the question at different times.
  • Underline
    the key words in the question. This will help you sort out not only the content expected, but also any limitations, e.g. only a specific timescale, or only one side of an argument to be analysed. You will also be weighing up which words you think are important and eliminate words that are not so vital.
  • Glance back and check
    have you missed out any words which are important and change what you have to do? This is an often overlooked step by students, anxious to get started with their answers. But this is the part which helps you to develop critical thinking skills, and it is an important self-check to ensure you have done the previous two steps properly.

bug

 

Command Words

A variety of command words may be used:

Account for Explain why something is the way it is.
Analyse Explain your view of why the main points of an idea, text or process are important. Do not just describe.
Calculate Show the method and obtain a numerical answer.
Compare Write about the differences and similarities.
Conclude Make a decision after thinking something through.
Contrast Show the differences between two things.
Criticise Analyse and make a judgement or give an opinion. Do not just be negative, give a considered view.
Define Give a brief explanation of what something means.
Describe Say what something or someone is like or give an account of events.
Discuss Explain the advantages and disadvantages of something, and give your opinion.
Evaluate Make a judgement about the quality of something, taking the evidence into account.
Explain Give reason WHY something is as it is or HOW it operates.
Give reasons for Explain using words like because to make clear WHY things happen.
Identify Point out the required features or reasons.
Interpret Explain what you understand to be the meaning, or what someone else intended the meaning to be.
Justify Give good reasons for.
Summarise Give the main points of an idea or an argument.

BREAK

Last modified: Friday, 21 August 2015, 3:04 PM