Unit 4: Go The Distance: Academic writing
Select a unit
- 1Go The Distance: Choosing distance learning
- 2Go The Distance: Academic reading
- 3Go The Distance: Academic talk
- 4Go The Distance: Academic writing
- 5Go The Distance: Finding and using source material
- 6Go The Distance: Going the distance
- 7Go The Distance: Critical thinking
- 8Go The Distance: Social learning
- 9Go The Distance: Projects
- 10Go The Distance: Succeeding in exams
Session 4
Academic Writing 4 – Written assignments
Welcome back to Academic Writing – the course with the tips and tools to get you on course for writing success. This time we're looking at perhaps the most important part of academic writing: understanding your assignments!
Activity 2
Defining question words
The most important step in assignment writing is making sure you understand the task. You need to understand the 'question' or 'process' words – and pay close attention to the 'content' words.
ነቲ ንጥፈት ፈትንዎ

To do
Try this matching activity to test what you know about question words.
Choose the right question words
8 Questions
Choose the correct question words to complete these assignment titles.
ሓገዝ
Activity
Choose the correct question words to complete these assignment titles.
ኣመት
You need a word which means 'show similarities and differences between things'Question 1 of 8
ሓገዝ
Activity
Choose the correct question words to complete these assignment titles.
ኣመት
You need a word for 'examine something systematically and in detail'Question 2 of 8
ሓገዝ
Activity
Choose the correct question words to complete these assignment titles.
ኣመት
You need a question word that means 'give exact meaning or meanings of a word, phrase or theory'Question 3 of 8
ሓገዝ
Activity
Choose the correct question words to complete these assignment titles.
ኣመት
You need a word that means 'give reasons and evidence supporting a point of view'Question 4 of 8
ሓገዝ
Activity
Choose the correct question words to complete these assignment titles.
ኣመት
You need a word that means 'give details about something and reasons behind it'Question 5 of 8
ሓገዝ
Activity
Choose the correct question words to complete these assignment titles.
ኣመት
Look for the question word that means 'look for differences between two things'Question 6 of 8
ሓገዝ
Activity
Choose the correct question words to complete these assignment titles.
ኣመት
You need a question word that means 'explain an issue, giving both sides and any related issues'.Question 7 of 8
ሓገዝ
Activity
Choose the correct question words to complete these assignment titles.
ኣመት
You need a word for 'make a judgement about something based on evidence – not a personal opinion'Question 8 of 8
Excellent!Great job!ሕማቕ ዕድል!ዘመዝገብኩምዎ ነጥቢ ...:
Study Tip
The differences between some of these question words can be very slim, so take your time and make sure you completely understand the question. If you're in doubt, you can ask your tutor or online study group for advice.
Next
Time to put your knowledge of assigment types and question words to the test! Go to the next activity page to analyse two academic answers and decide which is the best!
Session Vocabulary
Find out more about distance learning – visit our partner,The OU
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