Having made your choice of exam question, the first thing to do is look at its precise wording and try to work out exactly what you are being asked to do. Underline what you think are the keywords: these are vital phrases or words that will decide the treatment, the content, the style and the structure of your answer. Too many people just grab hold of the general topic, instead of the specific question. Apart from words relating to the content, or topic, there are, firstly, words which direct you in terms of what you must do with that content, and these are called process words. For example:

• Compare - look for similarities and differences and perhaps reach a conc~usion abc~t which is preferab~.

• Contrast - set in opposition in order to bring out differences.

• Criticise - give your judgement about the merit of theories and opinions, or about the truth of facts; back your judgement by a discussion of evidence or of the reasoning involved.

• Define - set down the precise meaning of a word or phrase; in some cases it may be necessary or desirable to examine different possible or often-used definitions.

• Describe - give a detailed or graphic account.

• Discuss - investigate or examine by argument; sift and deba te; give reasons for and against.

• Evaluate - make an appraisal of the worth of something.

• Explain - make plain; interpret and account for; give reasons.

• Illustrate use a figure or diagram to explain or clarifv, or make clear by the use of concrete examples.

• Interpret - expound the meaning of; make clear and explicit, usually giving your judgement also.

You must then decide what is the relevant content. What are the most important elements? What are the limits of the topic? What are assumptions that lie behind the question and what are the implications that arise from it?