Justify. Explain. Elucidate. Analyze.
Some of Directive Keywords in #UPSC Mains Questions
What are these? How to tackle them?👇🏻
Introduction
Largely, eight such Directive Words can be seen in the exams.
They are as follows: 👇🏼
1. Justify
2. Explain
3. Discuss
4. Analyze
5. Evaluate
6. Examine
7. Comment
8. Critically Examine
How to tackle them?👇🏻
Explained
1. Justify
• Generally, given statement is true (see image)
• Give pointers as evidences to prove that, it indeed is the true answer
2. Explain
• Explain the issue (see image)
• Give in-depth stance to explain in simple words
3. Discuss
• Gives an issue to be examined with pro as well anti argument
• Conclude with an apt statement to summarize the 'discussion'
4. Analyze
See 2 Questions from GS3 Mains 2019
• Identify different domains involved
• Give pointers on every point presenting your multidimensional knowledge
5. Evaluate
• 'Evaluation' should be strictly based on the given situation
• Do present reaction from different sides and avoid any of your personal opinions
6. Examine
• What do you do when you 'examine' someone? Just do that here!
• See topic in detail, understand and then develop your interferences
7. Comment
• This is the most common directive in Mains questions
• Stay neutral and give your viewpoints on the presented statement
• End with a conclusive statement by offering an apt conclusion
8. Critically Examine
• Examine but 'critically'
• Present detailed story of both the sides
• See it like a strict examiner taking in-depth stance on both students in a fight
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