While writing your essay, you may feel the passion for using specific words that could be challenging for the reader to understand what you are referring to. In this guide, we teach you how to define a word in an essay, on a text, sentence or within a paragraph.
In as much as you understand the easy topic inside out, the potential reader may hang while reading new vocabularies.
It could be awkward if you write word-to-word definitions from your dictionary. Also, it could disorganize or be confusing if you use the definition in the wrong part.
The best way to use definitions effectively is by using your own words and remaining concise. You can opt to introduce definitions in the essay’s body instead of in the introduction.
Before elaborating the word in definition terms, determine the word is unusual enough to require a definition.
While is it acceptable for you to define technical jargon in your essay, avoid defining every advanced vocabulary in the essay.
Rephrase the definition with your own words. You must include a full quotation if you are word-to-word definition from the dictionary. For instance, you can make the sentence flow better by
defining a word like ‘workout’, as follows: “Workout is an exercise of improving one’s fitness and performance.”
If you are using in-text citations, you should cite the dictionary or the textbook that you took the definition from when you end the sentences.
When it is the first time you are using such a source, then use the full title backed by the abbreviation. By doing correct referencing of the definition source you used, you will be avoiding plagiarism in your essay.
Let the definition be in the body and not the introduction since the introduction ought to catch the reader’s attention as you lay your thesis. Alternatively, you want to avoid defining a word, then use synonyms.
Keep the definition as short as possible. But, if you believe the definition could belong, then you can break it into shorter sentences to bring clarity to your essay.
Do you want to explain something in the mid of the sentence without confusing the reader?
While it is true that you may be harboring a lot of terminologies in your context that require some explanation, you must do it tactfully to promote the flow of your sentences well.
There are three ways you can insert a definition in the mid sentences as provided by the following examples.
1. By Using Commas
You can use commas as a way of punctuating your sentence to enhance the meaning. For example:
“John and Joseph had to see Bill gates, the leader of Microsoft Corporation, and advise him….”
2. Em and En Dashes
They are not synonymous with hyphens but needed to punctuate your sentence and restore your intended meaning. For example, we can paraphrase the above sentence to appear as follows:
“John and Joseph had to see Bill gates — the leader of Microsoft Corporation — and advise him….”
3. Parenthetical Aside
It is also another suitable method to use when inserting a definition in the mid sentences to update the reader with additional facts.
“John and Joseph had to see Bill gates (the leader of Microsoft Corporation) and advise him….”
How to Quote a Definition in a Sentence/Essay
When writing your essay, you will encounter such issues which are usually unavoidable. If we assume that you are using APA style for referencing, one must quote a definition inside double-quotes.
That is “Definition” and put the author-year and page numbers.
A definition in an essay examples
- McCarthy and George (1990) defined the essay as “a literary composition which represents author’s arguments on a specific topic.” P.87
- An essay is “a literary composition which represents author’s arguments on a specific topic.” (McCarthy and George, 1990, P.87)
- McCarthy and George (1990, P.87) defined an essay as “a literary composition which represents author’s arguments on a specific topic.”
Such definitions come in handy when you are writing essays that require you to understand one thing well. A good is example is when writing a comparison essay or a definition essay. Let us explore how to write a definition essay here.
Tips How to Write a Definition essay
A definition essay could be a piece of writing where you write your own meaning. One must ensure that you research your definition well and support it by the evidence.
In addition, it could be an explanation of what specific terms means in your context. This becomes a paragraph. Check out how to write good definition paragraphs and understand them from another perspective.
Some of the terms could have literal meanings like a phone, tablet, or spoon.
Other abstracts such as truth, love, or success will depend on the person’s point of view.
Different papers carry varying meanings hence when writing one, you must be precise to help the reader understanding what you are talking about.
It could be reasonable if you remain unique as you write a definition essay. Avoid expressing meaning using the same words.
Before you choose a definition essay topic, ensure that you select an abstract word that has a complex meaning. Also, ensure that the same word is indisputable.
Tips How to Define a Word in a Text or Paragraph
1. Select a Word
The main point of view when writing an essay is selecting an idea or concept. Select a word that will describe an idea like Hate, Love, etc. ensure that you understand the term you are choosing completely.
You can read from the dictionary but avoid extracting the definition from there but explain it in your own words.
Suppose your concept is open, then find your unique define based on experience. After that, find the basis to support your definitions.
2. Select a Word That You Know
It is suitable to settle for the word that you are familiar with and you have a basic understanding of the word. Doing so helps you to write easily. For example, you can select a word like ‘pride’ because you understand its meaning and what it feels as you use it in your context.
3. Select a Word With Different Meanings
Selecting a word with plural meanings comes in handy when you believe it will bring a different meaning to various people. As you write about it, there is an opportunity to involve your understanding and interpretations of other people.
For example, one can select a word like “love” because it comes with varying meanings. Every person will understand and interoperate it uniquely.
4. Avoid Specific Things and Objects
Stay away from selecting such things as “cups “or “pillow” because it complicates your writing because you cannot write a lot on specific objects. That makes the essay appear superficial and not shrewd enough.
5. Go Online
With an internet connection, you can seek an online platform and get enough information about what you want. The internet has several scholarly academic blogs and articles.
Additionally, you can still access videos created by smart people who deeply researched different words and sharing them with you.
6. Access the Dictionary
It is true that every official word has a deeper dictionary meaning. Tactfully, it is vital that you familiarize yourself with yourself before using it in your contexts.
You must take a closer look at the definition structure before deciding to use it. Ensure that you explain it in your own understanding when writing about it.
7. Know the Origin of the Word
Before using a specific word, it is critical to study and understand its origin. One way of researching the word is involving encyclopedias to get theories and ideas about that particular word.
For instance, if you are picking a word in the medical field, then you should consult the encyclopedia in the medical field.
8. Ask Colleagues
While it is crucial to have your perspective about the word, you can still ask friends and family about the meaning of that particular word.
Let them explain to you what it feels when you mention such a particular word. Later, you can record the answers and utilize them as your sources.
Joseph is a freelance journalist and a part-time writer who has a special interest in the gig economy. He writes on news, digital ideas, trends, and changes in the gig economy. When not writing, Joseph is hiking and climbing mountains.
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A definition essay requires you to write your own definition of a word. The definition must be thorough and well supported by research and evidence. You may have to write a definition essay for a class or try it as a writing challenge to help improve your English skills. Start by selecting and defining the word. Then, create a draft that presents a detailed definition using references and sources. Polish the essay when you are done so it flows well and does not contain any grammatical errors.
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Choose a concept or idea. Pick a word that describes a concept or idea, such as “Feminism,” “Justice,” “Patriotism,” “Family,” or “Love.” These words are open enough for you to create your own definition based on experience and find sources to support your definition.[1]
- You can also pick a concept like “Success,” “Friendship,” or “Faith.”
- Concepts like “Pain,” “Loss,” or “Death” are also good options.
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Avoid concrete objects or things. Concrete objects like “pencil,” “ball,” or “shoe” can be difficult to use in a definition essay. You may not be able to say much about concrete objects or write about them in a deep or insightful way.[2]
- You can try taking a concrete object and using a similar word to make it more open-ended. For example, the word “house” is concrete and obvious. But the word “home” is more open-ended and allows you to create your own definition of the word.
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Select a word you are familiar with. Go for a word that you recognize or understand on a basic level. This will make writing the definition a bit easier.[3]
- For example, you may choose a word like “success” because you are familiar with the word and feel you may have a lot to say about what it means to be successful or to feel success in your life.
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Go for a word that can have a variety of meanings. Make sure the word you choose is multidimensional and can mean a lot of different things to different people. This will give you a lot of room to include your personal understanding of the word, as well as the interpretations of others.[4]
- For example, you may choose a word like “pain” because you feel there are a variety of meanings for the word based on who you talk to and how they experience “pain” in their lives.
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Look up the word in the dictionary. Start by familiarizing yourself with the official definition of the word. Use a dictionary to look up the word. Notice the structure of the definition, which will start with the term. It will then note the class of the term, which is where it belongs among other objects or concepts. Finally, it may note any synonyms, which are words that mean the same thing or are similar to the word.[5]
- For example, if you look up the word “justice” in the dictionary, you may get this definition: “noun, the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness.”
- You can then determine that “justice” is a noun and can be compared to other terms like “righteousness” and “moral rightness.”
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Research the origin of the word in encyclopedias. Find out where the word came from by looking it up online or in print encyclopedias. Search for the word in encyclopedias that focus on certain ideas or concepts, such as a philosophy encyclopedia or a law encyclopedia. Read up on any theories or ideas that connect to the word.[6]
- For example, you may look up the word “justice” in an online encyclopedia that focuses on philosophy or law. You may then find information on Western theories of justice and how it became an important concept in Western history and the legal system.
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Search online for articles, websites, and videos that discuss the word. You can also do a wide search for any scholarly or academic articles that discuss the word in detail. Look for academic websites that address the word, including articles, blog posts, or essays about the word.
- Look on academic search engines like Google Scholar, JSTOR, and ProQuest for scholarly articles.
- You can also look for educational videos that have been made about the word on YouTube and other video websites.
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Interview peers, family, and friends about the word. Get a personal perspective on the word by talking to your family and friends about what they think about the word. Interview peers in your class or at work about what comes to mind when they hear or think about the word.[7]
- You may ask them interview questions like:
- “What comes to mind when you think of the word?”
- “How do you feel about the word on a personal level?”
- “How do you interact or deal with the word?”
- “What does the word mean to you?”
- Take notes or record the interviews so you can use them as sources in your essay.
- You may ask them interview questions like:
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Create your own definition of the word. Use your research and your own experiences to write the definition. You may focus on how the word works in society or the world at large. You can also compare it to other similar terms. Format the definition by stating the word, followed by a one-sentence definition.[8]
- For example, you may write: “Justice, a quality or trait where you act in a morally right way.” Or you may write: “Justice, a concept in the legal system where the fair or equitable thing is done, as in ‘justice has been served.’”
- It’s important to have tact and tread carefully here. It’s important to preface your own definition of the word, making it clear that’s a personal opinion. Make sure not to create the misconception that your own definition is the accepted or official one.
- At the end of the day, your objective should be to write the actual definition, and not an opinion essay.
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Use five sections for the essay. A typical definition essay will have five sections: an introduction, three body sections, and a conclusion. Ask your instructor if they require you to have one paragraph per section or if they are okay with you having as many paragraphs as you need per section.
- Your thesis statement should appear in the introduction and conclusion section of your essay.
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Introduce the term and the standard definition. Begin the essay by telling the reader the term you are defining. Then, provide the standard definition, using the dictionary and encyclopedias as references.[9]
- For example, you may write, “According to the Oxford Dictionary, justice is a noun, and it means: the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness.”
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Include a thesis statement with your own definition. Include this in the first section of the essay. Your thesis statement should describe your version of what the term means. Mix in your personal experiences and your other research to create the definition. Keep the thesis statement one sentence long and use the active voice.[10]
- For example, you may have a thesis statement like, “According to my research and my personal experiences, justice is a quality or trait where you act in a morally correct way.”
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Discuss the history and origin of the word. In the second section of the essay, talk about where the word originated. Note the root of the word and how it came into use. Use your research, particularly your notes from encyclopedias and academic articles, as evidence.[11]
- For example, you may write, “Justice comes from the Latin jus, which means right or law. It is a commonly used concept in politics, in the legal system, and in philosophy.”
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Analyze the dictionary definition of the word. In the third section, do a deep analysis of the dictionary definition of the term. Pull the definition apart and look at each word in the definition. Interpret and rephrase the definition so you can explore its deeper meanings.[12]
- For example, you may discuss how justice works as a noun or an idea in politics, the legal system, and in philosophy. You may also discuss what the “quality of being just” means in our society.
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Compare and contrast the term with other terms. Compare the word to other words that are similar in meaning. Discuss how the word is similar and how it is different.[13]
- For example, you may talk about how justice is similar and also not quite the same as words like “righteousness” and “equitableness.”
- You can also discuss words that mean the opposite of the term you are defining. For example, you may contrast the word “justice” with the word “injustice” or “inequality.”
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Discuss your personal definition. In the fourth section of the essay, you should include your perspective on the term as well as the perspectives of others. Describe the word based on your own personal experiences, such as a memory from childhood or an experience at school.[14]
- For example, you may write, “On a personal level, I view justice as an essential concept” or “Based on my own experiences, I think justice is blind and often does not serve those who need it the most.”
- You can also include personal experiences of the word based on interviews you conducted with others.
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Support your points with evidence and references. Include quotes from your sources to back up your claims. Use quotes from articles, journals, and online resources. You can also include quotes from interviews you conducted to get personal definitions of the word.[15]
- Make sure you follow your instructor’s preferred citation style, such as MLA, APA, or Chicago Style.
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Conclude by restating your main points. Wrap up the essay in the last section by briefly restating the standard definition of the word. Then, restate your thesis statement so the reader is reminded of your personal definition of the word. Make sure the conclusion discusses only points you have made in the essay and does not introduce any new ideas or thoughts.[16]
- Look at the first sentence in each section of the paragraph to help you gather your main points.
- Include a last sentence that has a strong image or that describes a key phrase in your essay.
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Read the essay out loud. Once you have completed a draft of the essay, read it aloud and listen to how it sounds on the page. Make sure each sentence flows well and that each section is well developed. Underline any awkward lines or phrases so you can revise them.[17]
- You should also check for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors in the essay.
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Show the essay to others for feedback. Get friends, peers, and family members to read the essay. Ask them if your definition of the word is clear and easy to follow. Pose questions about whether your points seem well supported and well developed in the essay.[18]
- Be open to constructive criticism from others and take their feedback to heart. It will only make your essay better.
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Revise the essay. Once you have gotten feedback on the essay, take the time to revise it for clarity and flow. Remove any sentences that are redundant or unclear. Make sure all your references and sources are properly cited.[19]
- If there is a word count or a page count for the definition essay, make sure you meet it.
- Include a reference page at the end of the essay and a cover page at the beginning of the essay, if required.
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Question
How do you start an essay with a definition?
Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University.
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Expert Answer
Always use quotation marks to cite the piece of data that you’re using, and make sure that you reference it at some point in your essay.
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Question
Could I use first person in a definition essay?
If you are writing a definition essay for a school assignment, you may or may not be allowed to use first person narration. Ask the teacher if it is allowed for your class or not. If this essay is not for school, using first person can be quite helpful in providing personal examples to create the definition.
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Question
How would I title a definition essay?
Make the title interesting, and connect it to a theme or important concept in the essay.
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Article SummaryX
To write a definition essay, choose a word that describes a concept or idea. Look up the dictionary definition, the origin of the word, and any scholarly essays or articles that discuss the word in detail, then use this information to create your own definition. When you write your paper, introduce the term and the standard dictionary definition of the word, followed by a thesis stating your own definition. Use the body of the paper to include historical information and explain what the word means to you, then conclude by restating your thesis. For tips on picking your word, keep reading!
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It’s not easy to write an academic essay.
Many students struggle to word their arguments in a logical and concise way.
To make matters worse, academic essays need to adhere to a certain level of formality, so we can’t always use the same word choices in essay writing that we would use in daily life.
If you’re struggling to choose the right words for your essay, don’t worry—you’ve come to the right place!
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of over 300 words and phrases to use in the introduction, body, and conclusion of your essay.
Words to Use in the Essay Introduction
The introduction is one of the hardest parts of an essay to write.
You have only one chance to make a first impression, and you want to hook your reader. If the introduction isn’t effective, the reader might not even bother to read the rest of the essay.
That’s why it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate with the words you choose at the beginning of your essay.
Many students use a quote in the introductory paragraph to establish credibility and set the tone for the rest of the essay.
When you’re referencing another author or speaker, try using some of these phrases:
- To use the words of X
- According to X
- As X states
Example: To use the words of Hillary Clinton, “You cannot have maternal health without reproductive health.”
Near the end of the introduction, you should state the thesis to explain the central point of your paper.
If you’re not sure how to introduce your thesis, try using some of these phrases:
- In this essay, I will…
- The purpose of this essay…
- This essay discusses…
- In this paper, I put forward the claim that…
- There are three main arguments for…
Example: In this essay, I will explain why dress codes in public schools are detrimental to students.
After you’ve stated your thesis, it’s time to start presenting the arguments you’ll use to back up that central idea.
When you’re introducing the first of a series of arguments, you can use the following words:
- First
- First and foremost
- First of all
- To begin with
Example: First, consider the effects that this new social security policy would have on low-income taxpayers.
All these words and phrases will help you create a more successful introduction and convince your audience to read on.
Words to Use in the Body of the Essay
The body of your essay is where you’ll explain your core arguments and present your evidence.
It’s important to choose words and phrases for the body of your essay that will help the reader understand your position and convince them you’ve done your research.
Let’s look at some different types of words and phrases that you can use in the body of your essay, as well as some examples of what these words look like in a sentence.
Transition Words and Phrases
Transitioning from one argument to another is crucial for a good essay.
It’s important to guide your reader from one idea to the next so they don’t get lost or feel like you’re jumping around at random.
Transition phrases and linking words show your reader you’re about to move from one argument to the next, smoothing out their reading experience. They also make your writing look more professional.
The simplest transition involves moving from one idea to a separate one that supports the same overall argument. Try using these phrases when you want to introduce a second correlating idea:
- Additionally
- In addition
- Also
- Secondly
- Furthermore
- Another key thing to remember
- In the same way
- Similarly
- Likewise
- Correspondingly
Example: Additionally, public parks increase property value because home buyers prefer houses that are located close to green, open spaces.
Another type of transition involves restating. It’s often useful to restate complex ideas in simpler terms to help the reader digest them. When you’re restating an idea, you can use the following words:
- In other words
- To put it another way
- That is to say
- To put it more simply
Example: “The research showed that 53% of students surveyed expressed a mild or strong preference for more on-campus housing. In other words, over half the students wanted more dormitory options.”
Often, you’ll need to provide examples to illustrate your point more clearly for the reader. When you’re about to give an example of something you just said, you can use the following words:
- For instance
- To give an illustration of
- To exemplify
- To demonstrate
- As evidence
Example: Humans have long tried to exert control over our natural environment. For instance, engineers reversed the Chicago River in 1900, causing it to permanently flow backward.
Sometimes, you’ll need to explain the impact or consequence of something you’ve just said.
When you’re drawing a conclusion from evidence you’ve presented, try using the following words:
- Thus
- As a result
- Hence
- Therefore
- Accordingly
- Due to
- As you can see
- This suggests that
- It follows that
- It can be seen that
- For this reason
- For all of those reasons
- Consequently
Example: “There wasn’t enough government funding to support the rest of the physics experiment. Thus, the team was forced to shut down their experiment in 1996.”
When introducing an idea that bolsters one you’ve already stated, or adds another important aspect to that same argument, you can use the following words:
- Moreover
- Further
- What’s more
- As well as
- Along with
- Besides
- Not only…but also
- Not to mention
- To say nothing of
- Another key point
Example: The volcanic eruption disrupted hundreds of thousands of people. Moreover, it impacted the local flora and fauna as well, causing nearly a hundred species to go extinct.
Often, you’ll want to present two sides of the same argument. When you need to compare and contrast ideas, you can use the following words:
- On the one hand / on the other hand
- Conversely
- However
- Alternatively
- In contrast to
- On the contrary
- Whereas
- By contrast
- In comparison
Example: On the one hand, the Black Death was undoubtedly a tragedy because it killed millions of Europeans. On the other hand, it created better living conditions for the peasants who survived.
Finally, when you’re introducing a new angle that contradicts your previous idea, you can use the following phrases:
- Having said that
- That said
- Even so
- Then again
- Differing from
- Granted
- Despite
- Yet
- In spite of
- While
- With this in mind
- Provided that
- Nevertheless
- Nonetheless
- Notwithstanding
- Admittedly
Example: Shakespearean plays are classic works of literature that have stood the test of time. Having said that, I would argue that Shakespeare isn’t the most accessible form of literature to teach students in the twenty-first century.
Good essays include multiple types of logic. You can use a combination of the transitions above to create a strong, clear structure throughout the body of your essay.
Strong Verbs for Academic Writing
Verbs are especially important for writing clear essays. Often, you can convey a nuanced meaning simply by choosing the right verb.
You should use strong verbs that are precise and dynamic. Whenever possible, you should use an unambiguous verb, rather than a generic verb.
For example, alter and fluctuate are stronger verbs than change, because they give the reader more descriptive detail.
Here are some useful verbs that will help make your essay shine.
Verbs that show change:
- Alter
- Accommodate
- Evolve
- Fluctuate
- Generate
- Transform
- Transition
- Vary
Verbs that relate to causing or impacting something:
- Constrain
- Control
- Govern
- Ignite
- Impact
- Influence
- Inhibit
- Initiate
- Instigate
- Introduce
- Promote
- Provoke
- Stimulate
- Trigger
Verbs that show increase:
- Advance
- Develop
- Enlarge
- Exceed
- Extend
- Facilitate
- Improve
- Implement
- Maximize
Verbs that show decrease:
- Alleviate
- Cease
- Decline
- Depress
- Descent
- Deteriorate
- Minimize
- Subside
- Reduce
Verbs that relate to parts of a whole:
- Comprises of
- Is composed of
- Constitutes
- Encompasses
- Includes
-
Incorporates
Verbs that show a negative stance:
-
Caution
- Challenge
- Contend
- Contradict
- Deny
- Disagree
- Dismiss
- Dispute
- Disregard
- Invalidate
- Misconstrue
- Negate
- Refute
- Reject
- Question
Verbs that show a positive stance:
- Admit
- Advocate
- Affirm
- Assert
- Complement
- Emphasize
- Endorse
- Highlight
- Declare
- Maintain
- Substantiate
- Suggest
- Support
- Underscore
- Uphold
- Validate
- Verify
Verbs that relate to drawing conclusions from evidence:
- Allude
- Attest
- Confirm
- Convey
- Corroborate
- Demonstrate
- Document
- Entail
- Establish
- Hint
- Imply
- Indicate
- Present
- Reveal
- Signify
- Summarize
- Surface
- Unearth
- Yield
Verbs that relate to thinking and analysis:
- Analyze
- Appraise
- Assess
- Believe
- Clarify
- Concede
- Contend
- Consider
- Contemplate
- Define
- Derive
- Determine
- Diagnose
- Discuss
- Dissect
- Evaluate
- Examine
- Explore
- Hypothesize
- Identify
- Ignore
- Infer
- Interpret
- Investigate
- Observe
- Perceive
- Postulate
- Presume
- Recognize
- Refer
- Scrutinize
- Speculate
- Surmise
- Theorize
Verbs that relate to showing information in a visual format:
- Denote
- Depict
- Describe
- Display
- Illustrate
- Portray
- Represent
- Typify
Useful Adjectives and Adverbs for Academic Essays
You should use adjectives and adverbs more sparingly than verbs when writing essays, since they sometimes add unnecessary fluff to sentences.
However, choosing the right adjectives and adverbs can help add detail and sophistication to your essay.
Sometimes you’ll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is useful and should be taken seriously. Here are some adjectives that create positive emphasis:
- Beneficial
- Clear
- Effective
- Important
- Invaluable
- Main
- Major
- Persuasive
- Relevant
- Significant
- Strong
- Successful
- Unbiased
- Useful
- Valid
- Valuable
Other times, you’ll need to use an adjective to show that a finding or argument is harmful or ineffective. Here are some adjectives that create a negative emphasis:
- Biased
- Controversial
- False
- Flawed
- Insignificant
- Invalid
- Irrelevant
- Limited
- Minor
- Questionable
- Unnecessary
- Unrealistic
Finally, you might need to use an adverb to lend nuance to a sentence, or to express a specific degree of certainty. Here are some examples of adverbs that are often used in essays:
- Accordingly
- Adequately
- Barely
- Briefly
- Certainly
- Completely
- Comprehensively
- Consequently
- Entirely
- Exhaustively
- Extensively
- Generally
- Hardly
- Initially
- Nearly
- Possibly
- Presumably
- Probably
- Regularly
- Respectively
- Scarcely
- Surprisingly
- Thoroughly
- Typically
Using these words will help you successfully convey the key points you want to express. Once you’ve nailed the body of your essay, it’s time to move on to the conclusion.
Words to Use in Your Essay Conclusion
The conclusion of your paper is important for synthesizing the arguments you’ve laid out and restating your thesis.
In your concluding paragraph, try using some of these essay words:
- In conclusion
- To summarize
- To sum up
- In summary
- In a nutshell
- In brief
- In short
- In essence
- All in all
- Given the above
- As described
- All things considered
- Finally
- Lastly
Example: In conclusion, it’s imperative that we take action to address climate change before we lose our coral reefs forever.
In addition to simply summarizing the key points from the body of your essay, you should also add some final takeaways. Give the reader your final opinion and a bit of a food for thought.
To place emphasis on a certain point or a key fact, use these essay words:
- Unquestionably
- Undoubtedly
- Particularly
- Especially
- Importantly
- Singularly
- Chiefly
- Namely
- Conclusively
- It should be noted
- Above all
- Ultimately
- On the whole
Example: Ada Lovelace is unquestionably a powerful role model for young girls around the world, and more of our public school curricula should include her as a historical figure.
These concluding phrases will help you finish writing your essay in a strong, confident way.
How to Improve Your Essay Writing Vocabulary
There are many useful essay words out there that we didn’t include in this article, because they are specific to certain topics.
If you’re writing about biology, for example, you will need to use different terminology than if you’re writing about literature.
So how do you improve your vocabulary skills?
The vocabulary you use in your academic writing is a toolkit you can build up over time, as long as you take the time to learn new words.
One way to increase your vocabulary is by looking up words you don’t know when you’re reading.
Try reading more books and academic articles in the field you’re writing about and jotting down all the new words you find. You can use these words to bolster your own essays.
You can also consult a dictionary or a thesaurus. When you’re using a word you’re not confident about, researching its meaning and common synonyms can help you make sure it belongs in your essay.
Don’t be afraid of using simpler words. Good essay writing boils down to choosing the best word to convey what you need to say, not the fanciest word possible.
Finally, you can use ProWritingAid’s synonym tool or essay checker to find more precise and sophisticated vocabulary. Click on weak words in your essay to find stronger alternatives.
There you have it: our compilation of the best words and phrases to use in your next essay. Good luck!
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Essay question words. What are they? What do they mean? How should you answer them? If you’ve come here in search of answers to these questions, you’ve come to the right place.
Now, we may be experts in best essay writing, but we’re also the first to admit that tackling essay questions can be, well, a bit of a challenge. Essays first require copious amounts of background reading and research so you can include accurate facts in your writing. You then have to figure out how to present those facts in a convincing and systematic argument. No mean feat.
But the silver lining here is that presenting your argument doesn’t have to be stressful. This goes even if you’re a new student without much experience and ability. To write a coherent and well-structured essay, you just have to really understand the requirements of the question. And to understand the requirements of the question, you need to have a good hold on all the different question words. For example, ‘justify’, ‘examine’, and ‘discuss’, to name a few.
Lacking this understanding is a pitfall many students tumble into. But our guide on essay question words below should keep you firmly above on safe, essay-acing ground.
Question words – what are they?
Words such as ‘explain’, ‘evaluate’ or ‘analyse’ – typical question words used in essay titles – provide a useful indication of how your essay should be structured. They often require varying degrees of critical responses. Sometimes, they may simply require a descriptive answer.
No matter their nature, question words are key and must always be adhered to. And yet, many students often overlook them and therefore answer their essay questions incorrectly. You may be a font of all knowledge in your subject area, but if you misinterpret the question words in your essay title, your essay writing could be completely irrelevant and score poorly.
For example, if you are asked to compare the French and British upper houses of parliament, you won’t get many points by simply highlighting the differences between the two parliamentary systems.
So, what should you do? We advise you start by reading this guide – we’ve divided the question words either by ‘critical’ or ‘descriptive’ depending on their nature, which should help you identify the type of response your essay requires.
These are the question words we will cover in this blog:
| Critical question words | Descriptive question words |
|---|---|
| Analyse | Define |
| Evaluate | Demonstrate |
| Justify | Describe |
| Critically evaluate | Elaborate |
| Review | Explain |
| Assess | Explore |
| Discuss | Identify |
| Examine | Illustrate |
| To what extent | Outline |
| Summarise | |
| Clarify | |
| Compare | |
| Contrast |
Question words that require a critical approach
Some question words require a critical answer and there are varying degrees of how critical your answers must be according to the requirements of the question. We’ve broken these down for you below:
1. Analyse
Essay questions that ask you to ‘analyse’ a particular topic or argument expect a thorough deconstruction of the essay subject. In other words, this word requires you to break the essay topic down into its fundamental parts.
Once you have done this, it’s also important that you critically (more on this word later) examine each part. You need to use important debates and evidence to look in depth at the arguments for and against, as well as how the parts interconnect. What does the evidence suggest? Use it to adopt a stance in your essay, ensuring you don’t simply give a narration on the key debates in the literature. Make your position known and tie this to the literature.
2. Evaluate
When answering this essay question word, the key is to provide your opinion or verdict concerning the extent to which an argument or set of research findings is accurate. You may also be required to demonstrate the extent to which you agree with a particular argument or hypothesis.
It is essential to provide information on both sides of the debate using evidence from a wide range of academic sources. Then you must state your position basing your arguments on the evidence that informed you in arriving at your position.
3. Justify
With ‘justify’ question words, you need to explain the basis of your argument by presenting the evidence that informed your outlook. In such answers, you need to present your evidence in a convincing way, demonstrating good reasons for adopting your position.
Also, you may want to consider arguments that are contrary to your position before stating a conclusion to your arguments. This will help present a balanced argument and demonstrate wide knowledge of the literature. Here, a critical approach becomes crucial. You need to explain why other possible arguments are unsatisfactory as well as why your own particular argument is preferable.
4. Critically evaluate
To ‘critically evaluate’, you must provide your opinion or verdict on whether an argument, or set of research findings, is accurate. This should be done in as critical a manner as possible. Provide your opinion on the extent to which a statement or research finding is true. A critical evaluation of a subject will warrant an assertive essay response that details the extent to which you agree with a set of findings, a theory, or an argument.
The key to tackling these question words is providing ample evidence to support your claims. Ensure that your analysis is balanced by shedding light on, and presenting a critique of, alternative perspectives. It is also important that you present extensive evidence taken from a varying range of sources.
State your conclusion clearly and state the reasons for this conclusion, drawing on factors and evidence that informed your perspective. Also try to justify your position in order to present a convincing argument to the reader.
5. Review
An answer to a ‘review’ question word should demonstrate critical examination of a subject or argument. This is done by recapping or summarising the major themes or points in question, and critically discussing them while giving your opinion.
Put another way, ‘review’ questions entail offering your opinion on the validity of the essay question. For example, you may be asked to review the literature on electoral reform in Great Britain. You’ll need to give an overview of the literature. and any major arguments or issues that arose from it. You then need to comment logically and analytically on this material. What do you agree or disagree with? What have other scholars said about the subject? Are there any views that contrast with yours? What evidence are you using to support your assessment? Don’t forget to state your position clearly.
Review answers should not be purely descriptive; they must demonstrate a high level of analytical skill. The aim is not simply to regurgitate the works of other scholars, but rather to critically analyse these works.
6. Assess
In the case of ‘assess’ question words, you are expected to consider or make an informed judgement about the value, strengths or weakness of an argument, claim or topic. ‘Assess’ questions place particular emphasis on weighing all views concerning the essay subject, as opposed to your opinion only.
However, when assessing a particular argument or topic, it is important that your thoughts on its significance are made clear. This must be supported by evidence, and secondary sources in the literature are a great start. Essentially, you need to convince the reader about the strength of your argument, using research to back up your assessment of the topic is essential. Highlight any limitations to your argument and remember to mention any counterarguments to your position.
7. Discuss
‘Discuss’ question words typically require an in-depth answer that takes into account all aspects of the debate concerning a research topic or argument. You must demonstrate reasoning skills with this type of question, by using evidence to make a case for or against a research topic/argument.
Give a detailed examination of the topic by including knowledge of the various perspectives put forward by other scholars in relation to it. What are your thoughts on the subject based on the general debates in the literature? Remember to clearly state your position based on all the evidence you present.
8. Examine
A close examination of a research topic or argument requires that you establish the key facts and important issues concerning the topic or argument by looking at them in close detail. This means that you must adopt a very critical approach with ‘examine’ question words.
You should also try to provide some context on why the issues and facts that you have closely examined are important. Have these issues and facts been examined differently by other scholars? If so, make a note of this. How did they differ in their approach and what are the factors that account for these alternative approaches?
‘Examine’ questions are less exploratory and discursive than some other types of question. They focus instead on asking you to critically examine particular pieces of evidence or facts to inform your analysis.
9. To what extent
In essence, this asks how far you agree with a proposition put forward in the question. This requires a very in-depth assessment of the topic, and especially of the evidence used to present your argument.
Such questions require that you display the extent of your knowledge on a given subject and that you also adopt an analytical style in stating your position. This means that you must consider both sides of the argument, by present contrasting pieces of evidence. But ultimately, you must show why a particular set of evidence, or piece of information, is more valid for supporting your answer.
Question words that require a descriptive response
In some instances, question words require mostly a descriptive response as is the case with the words below:
1. Define
Here, you must outline the precise meaning of the subject of the question. If the definition you provide is a contested one then make sure you mention this. How do other scholars define the subject? Why is its meaning contested and why have you chosen to use one meaning instead of the other if this is the case?
It is important that you provide more than one meaning if there are several of them as it shows that you are very familiar with the literature.
2. Demonstrate
The key to tackling ‘demonstrate’ questions is to use several examples, evidence, and logical arguments. Essentially, you are required to show how a particular research topic or argument is valid by using evidence and arguments to support your claim.
Make sure you assert your position with these types of questions. It’s even more important that you support your arguments with valid evidence in order to establish a strong case.
3. Describe
When describing something, you must provide thorough insight into the main characteristics of a research subject in an objective manner. As answers to such questions will be inherently descriptive, it is important that you recount or characterise in narrative form.
‘Describe’ question words focus less on the basic meaning of something, therefore, and more on its particular characteristics. These characteristics should form the building blocks of your answer.
4. Elaborate
Here, you are required to provide a lot of detail and information on a research topic or argument. ‘Elaborate’ questions tend to elicit descriptive responses. Therefore. it’s important to demonstrate that you have done significant research on the topic to support the information you provide.
5. Explain
‘Explain’ questions expect you to basically clarify a topic. When answering such questions, it helps to imagine you are writing for someone who knows absolutely nothing of the subject. And remember two things. To provide as much detail as possible, and to give definitions for any jargon or key terms when used.
In addition, always remember to back any claims with academic research. In explanatory answers it is important that you demonstrate a clear understanding of a research topic or argument. This comes across most convincingly if you present a clear interpretation of the subject or argument to the reader. Keep in mind any ‘what’, ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions as this will help you to structure a clear and logically coherent response. Coherence is extremely important in providing explanatory answers.
6. Explore
Needless to say, your answer must be exploratory and thus it is imperative that you adopt a questioning approach when answering such questions. Because of the exploratory nature of such essays, objectivity is key. That is, you should give an overview of all viewpoints before providing any of your own arguments.
A somewhat detached, dispassionate tone can be particularly effective, in contrast to the more assertive, argumentative tone you might adopt for other types of essay question. Just remember that the key objective here is to give a nuanced account of a research topic or argument by examining its composite parts.
7. Identify
Essay questions that require you to ‘identify’ something in relation to a research topic or argument require you to simply point out and describe the main ideas in a short and coherent way. A little like this paragraph.
8. Illustrate
Such an answer will generally involve the use of many examples, such as tables, figures, graphs, or concrete research statistics and evidence. The aim is to use these examples to demonstrate knowledge of the subject of the question and to further explain or clarify your answer.
9. Outline
outline answer requires you present an organised description of a research topic or argument. It is imperative that you provide the main points only (and any important supplementary information) as opposed to focusing on the minor details. Remember to present your answer in a systematic and coherent way.
10. Summarise
When you are asked to summarise or present a summary of a research topic, you should give a condensed form of its main points or facts. You must omit all minor details and focus mainly on the key facts. As a result, summaries are typically brief and straight to the point. The key is to get all the main facts across to the reader in as punchy and succinct a manner as possible.
11. Clarify
This means to provide insight into a subject, and quite literally, provide clarification. For example, this could be done by making an argument or topic more clear by explaining it in simpler terms.
Such questions require you to shed light on a topic or, in some instances, break down a complex subject into simple parts. Coherence is very important for acing such questions, remembering to present your answer in a systematic manner.
12. Compare
When asked to ‘compare’, you must identify any similarities between two or more subjects of discussion. You can go beyond making a basic comparison by trying to understand the roots of the similarities you identify, as well as their significance.
Furthermore, you may also want to emphasise any differences, although the focus of your essay should be on establishing similarities.
13. Contrast
A ‘contrast’ question expects you to identify differences, not similarities, between subjects. What are the main dissimilarities between two or more subjects? What sets them apart? These are the general questions that you must keep in mind when addressing ‘contrast’ questions.
In summary…
Hopefully, by examining and explaining essay question words, we have helped clarify their meanings and how you should approach them in your own essay writing.
Here are a few more handy tips to bear in mind when addressing your essay questions:
When you first get your essay question, always try to understand exactly what the question means and what it is asking you to do. Look at the question word(s) and think about their meaning before you launch into planning what to write. Hopefully, our guide has shown you how to do this expertly.
Remember to read the question several times and consider any underlying assumptions behind the question. Highlight the key words and if possible, make a very basic draft outline of your response. This outline does not have to be detailed. But if you follow it as you write, it will help keep your response coherent and systematic.
Finally, remember to read through your essay at the end to check for any inconsistencies and grammatical or spelling errors. Or, if you’re in search of the perfect finishing touch, have a professional apply an edit to your final essay. It always helps to have a second set of fresh eyes to assess your work for any errors or omissions.
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Essays, assignments, admissions…
These words implicate the pain of students from all over the world, don’t you agree? They yet sound like a creepy snake whispering, “You shall not passsss!”
Most students hate writing essays. It’s difficult, time- and energy consuming, and challenging to complete them. A thesis, arguments, references, and conclusion are fundamental to every essay. But what makes yours stellar is words you use to convince readers. Words are your powerful weapon to prove critical thinking and knowledge of the topic. Words help you stand out in a crowd of other students writing about the same topics.
But here’s the problem:
Not all words are useful. Some are clunky and redundant, while others make your writing mumbling. Some you use for word count rather than meaning, and they make essays sound complicated yet empty.
For concise and meaningful writing, do your best to avoid these words and phrases in your admission essays.
1) Contractions
In essays, avoid abbreviations such as “don’t,” “can’t,” and “won’t.” Academic works suppose using full words, so write them rather than contractions.
2) Idioms
Set phrases enrich a language, but leave them for personal stories, blog posts, or fiction books. An admission essay is a task to check your skills of formal writing, not your ability to entertain or wow professors with flourished vocabulary. Stay clear and concise.
3-5) “So on,” “etc,” “and so forth“
These run-on expressions demonstrate nothing but your inability to work with arguments, details, and examples. They scream, “I do not know what else to say!” Avoid them in your essays.
6) Clichés
Phrases a la “it’s an open secret,” “we all know,” or “sleep like a baby” are clichés used so often that have lost relevance far long ago. They are a poor attempt to strike as clever, but such words sound false in sober fact.
7-11) “Thing,” “stuff,” “good,” “bad,” “big“
The problem with these words is colloquiality and vagueness, inappropriate for academic language. It’s okay to use them in everyday talk; but when in essays, they sound too elementary and make admission officers think of your poor vocabulary. Do your best to master paraphrasing and synonymization for writing more sophisticated words in academic papers.
12) Slang, jargon, teen speak
Remember the audience. Even though admission officers might read Buzzfeed articles in spare time, they will hardly appreciate such writing style in your formal essay. Leave slang where it’s appropriate.
13) Rhetorical questions
Asking them, you assume that readers know the answer. But why then do they need this information? What’s its value? Rhetorical questions don’t expect explanations, which is inappropriate for academic writing. What seems evident to you might not be so for a reader, that is why you should provide clear statements in essays.
14-17) “In terms of,” “needless to say,” “in conclusion,” “it goes without saying“
Parenthetic words bring no surplus value to your writings. They may serve as transitional phrases in informal works but become redundant when used in academic essays. Professors will consider it a trick to complete a word count rather than add value to your work.
18) Quotes
Quoting and referencing are a must-have for academic essays, but this rule is about starting your work with a quote from a famous person. First, this trick is so overused that drives professors nuts; and second, they want to hear from you, not Hemingway, Musk, or Obama. It’s your essay, so its tone of voice and personality should be yours.
19-26) “Very,” “quite,” “really,” “totally,” “already,” “fairly,” “actually,” “just“
All they are weak modifiers or redundant –ly adverbs with no meaning. When you need to write a 2,000-word essay, you might fight against the temptation to insert them; but the result will be poor because such words are irrelevant and bring no surplus value to the statements you use in essays. “Very unique,” “really interesting,” and “quite enough” have nothing to do with efficient academic writings.
27) Passive voice
Most educators ask students to avoid passive voice because this grammar construction 1) weakens wiring and 2) “lacks explicit reference to who the actor is.” Use active voice to make all statements clear to readers.
When writing essays, let words be your allies. Use those powerful words to communicate your message to admission officers and overtake other students. Be concise, enhance your vocabulary, consider active verbs and clear sentence structure, and do not plagiarize ideas and texts from peers or online sources. Convey your skills and highlight strengths in your academic writings.
Lesley Vos is a private educator of the French language. Lives in Chicago, crafts web content, shares writing experience with peers. In love with print books, coffee, and words. Feel free to visit @LesleyVos on Twitter to find more works of hers.