MEANING OF TAIL WORDS
Its heartening that a candidate introspects himself so much as to think over these terms which are called as “tail words” or “answer directives”. However there are not only four types of answer directives, there are more than that with some of them having overlapping characteristics.
These include
Every answer that has to be given, that must follow the directives of the question. An answer is sought only on the basis of directive. Which can be describe, discuss, comment or anything.
- Description Based
- ‘Describe’,
- ‘Outline’,
- Give account of,
- ‘Write an essay (geographical, historical, sociological, scirntific) on’, each of these asks for a fairly straightforward, usually factual essay, which needs an orderly, logical presentation of information.
- Touching the topic
- Enumerate
- Indicate
- Bring out
- Throw light on
- Give an outline of
- Simplification
- Elucidate- To make lucid clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify.
- Elaborate- To explain something at greater length or in greater detail. Planned or executed with painstaking attention to numerous parts or details: an elaborate scheme. To work out with care and detail; develop thoroughly: elaborated a theory of social organization.
- Deeper Meaning
- ‘Explain’, consists of subjectivity
- ‘Examine’,
- ‘Analyse’, ‘Critical analysis” Separates every facet threadbare that makes up the issue and the subject, like-what, where, when, why, how????? It doesn’t mean any criticism, rather it means not accepting any idea, any concept wholeheartedly, rather having a different view altogether, a departure from a view that everyone accepts woth a reason. May be it means a pathbreaking analysis, givinga different perspective with a reason.
- ‘Assess’, each of these demands an answer that puts forward arguments, critical comment and evidence, which is judged and evaluated. The reasons both for and against particular phenomena should be covered and, normally, a well argued conclusion is required.
- Comparative presentation
- ‘Compare’,
- ‘Contrast,’ both of these ask for the constant comparison of two or more geographical features. The candidate must not write separate descriptions and compare only at the end of the essay. Similarities as well as differences should be considered in every paragraph.
- Reasoning based
- ‘Account for’, asks the candidate to give reasons for geographical phenomena: why something s exists or occurs. Often this instruction is followed by ‘the importance of or ‘the significance of, in which case the writer must consider the results and effects of the subject in hand. These can be both long-term and short term effects, and both direct and indirect.
- Presentaion and Organisation
- ‘Discuss’, term usually asks for a wide, all embracing answer which gives an exchange of opinions, judgements, reasoned comments and a general discussion of the subject from all angles. Often this world follows a quotation. The candidate need not necessarily agree with the comments or opinions contained in a quotation-the essay writer can agree, disagree or modify the comments, but must always support the answer with well informed evidence.
- Illustrate- To furnish an answer with drawings, pictures, or other artwork intended for explanation, elucidation, or adornment. It can also mean to make clear or intelligible, as by examples or analogies i.e. to exemplify, to clarify or explain by use of examples, analogy, etc
- Opinion based
- Comment- It is a note explaining, illustrating, or making remarks, observations, or criticisms criticizing the meaning of a writing. It is about making an observation or remark expressing an opinion or attitude, that may be critical comments constructive comment or sometimes even a judgment but expressed indirectly, and always suggestive.
- Prove
- Substantiation
- Prove
- Substantiate
- Give arguments for all of which require not giving any new viewpoint, rather substantiating the already proven one
The attached recording explains these concepts in detail
UNDERSTANDING DIRECTIVES OF QUESTION
Every answer that has to be given, that must follow the directives of the question. An answer is sought only on the basis of directive. Which can be describe, discuss, comment or anything.
- Description Based
- ‘Describe’,
- ‘Outline’,
- Give account of,
- ‘Write an essay (geographical, historical, sociological, scirntific) on’, each of these asks for a fairly straightforward, usually factual essay, which needs an orderly, logical presentation of information.
- Touching the topic
- Enumerate
- Indicate
- Bring out
- Throw light on
- Give an outline of
- Simplification
- Elucidate- To make lucid clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify.
- Elaborate- To explain something at greater length or in greater detail. Planned or executed with painstaking attention to numerous parts or details: an elaborate scheme. To work out with care and detail; develop thoroughly: elaborated a theory of social organization.
- Deeper Meaning
- ‘Explain’, consists of subjectivity
- ‘Examine’,
- ‘Analyse’, ‘Critical analysis” Separates every facet threadbare that makes up the issue and the subject, like-what, where, when, why, how????? It doesn’t mean any criticism, rather it means not accepting any idea, any concept wholeheartedly, rather having a different view altogether, a departure from a view that everyone accepts woth a reason. May be it means a pathbreaking analysis, givinga different perspective with a reason.
- ‘Assess’, each of these demands an answer that puts forward arguments, critical comment and evidence, which is judged and evaluated. The reasons both for and against particular phenomena should be covered and, normally, a well argued conclusion is required.
- Comparative presentation
- ‘Compare’,
- ‘Contrast,’ both of these ask for the constant comparison of two or more geographical features. The candidate must not write separate descriptions and compare only at the end of the essay. Similarities as well as differences should be considered in every paragraph.
- Reasoning based
- ‘Account for’, asks the candidate to give reasons for geographical phenomena: why something s exists or occurs. Often this instruction is followed by ‘the importance of or ‘the significance of, in which case the writer must consider the results and effects of the subject in hand. These can be both long-term and short term effects, and both direct and indirect.
- Presentaion and Organisation
- ‘Discuss’, term usually asks for a wide, all embracing answer which gives an exchange of opinions, judgements, reasoned comments and a general discussion of the subject from all angles. Often this world follows a quotation. The candidate need not necessarily agree with the comments or opinions contained in a quotation-the essay writer can agree, disagree or modify the comments, but must always support the answer with well informed evidence.
- Illustrate- To furnish an answer with drawings, pictures, or other artwork intended for explanation, elucidation, or adornment. It can also mean to make clear or intelligible, as by examples or analogies i.e. to exemplify, to clarify or explain by use of examples, analogy, etc
- Opinion based
- Comment- It is a note explaining, illustrating, or making remarks, observations, or criticisms criticizing the meaning of a writing. It is about making an observation or remark expressing an opinion or attitude, that may be critical comments constructive comment or sometimes even a judgment but expressed indirectly, and always suggestive.
- Prove
- Substantiation
- Prove
- Substantiate
- Give arguments for all of which require not giving any new viewpoint, rather substantiating the already proven one
