Analysis – Command Terms

Command Terms

Analyse
Consider a concept, statement, or situation, identify the different components it is made up of, and describe how the components relate to each other. Your answer should be methodical and logically organised.
I.e. This contributes/relates to this…then describe what, where, how and why.
or this and this contribute/relate to this… then describe what, where, how and why.

Compare (or Compare and Contrast)
Set the two items side by side and discuss their similarities and differences.

Contrast
Point out only the differences (not the similarities) between two or more topics.

Describe
Identify and outline the attributes or characteristics of the focus; a concept, artwork, subject matter, composition, approach to materials and techniques and/or effects created with aesthetic qualities.

Discuss
Explain the focus or concept and then give details about it with supporting information, examples, explanations for the facts put forward and from evidence in artworks.

Evaluate (Assess)
Consider how true, appropriate or beneficial are the idea(s) or approaches in this practice or artwork. You can address both positive and negative but in visual arts, questions will be predominantly about addressing what is seen in the artwork. Discussing what is not evident is usually counterproductive.

Explain
Offer a detailed and exact rationale behind an idea or approach, or a set of reasons for a situation attitude or approach. This is what you need to do in response to a ‘why’ or ’how’ question. The explanation should increase the reader’s understanding of a topic or idea.

Identify
Express the relevant points briefly and clearly without lengthy discussion or minor details. This is a purely descriptive task, so you are not expected to evaluate or give your opinion on the points you make. Be concise and use effective adjectives that respond directly to visual attributes or practices.
And
Interpret
Very similar to Explain. Describe what your focus or visual attributes mean. Examine the key components of a topic or idea and give an evaluation of it. You may be required to interpret the subject in terms of a particular framework or theory specific to your discipline. I.e. Historical and cultural influences.

Relate (relationship)
Make links or connections between two or more ideas, and show how these ideas are associated, as well as the nature of the relationship. I.e. how materials and techniques are used to create effects with aesthetic qualities (lenses that must be related) to convey meaning or ideas (primary focus)