Writing (What are you asked to do?)

Account for – give reasons for or explain why something happens
Analyze – examine in detail, identifying important points and features
Assess –decide about the value, quality, amount or importance of something
Comment on – identify the main issues giving your reactions based on what you have read
Comparative analysis – an item by item comparison of two or more sets of data, processes, products, etc
Critically evaluate – weigh the arguments for and against something, assessing the strengths on both sides
Demonstrate – make it clear or establish by arguments or reasoning
Describe – give the main characteristics of something, or outline the main events
Evaluate – look at the topic in detail and if appropriate, evaluate it critically.
Explain – make it clear why something is the way it is or why something happens