Make sure you interpret and understand your topic correctly. Look out for words which instruct you to do something specific.
Doing some background reading will give you a better understanding of your topic and direction for your research. The aim of a background information search is to define terms and get an overview of the topic.
The first thing to do is to start compiling a list of possible keywords that you can use when searching for information.
The following resources are a good start to do background reading on your topic.
Dictionaries and encyclopedias
General dictionaries and subject dictionaries can help you define the words used in your assignment question. Encyclopedias provide facts and give expert summaries on a topic.
Dictionaries and encyclopedias can be found in the Library in print and in electronic format. The Library has a subscription to Oxford Reference Online. You need a Library PIN to access Oxford Reference off campus.
A search engine like Google will help you define your topic, by using the word "define" alongside your keywords.
Please have a look at this list of “Instruction/Task Words” compiled by Mandela Uni's Academic Literacies Writing Programme. This list explains in English, Xhosa and Afrikaans what each of the instruction/task words mean.
|
English interpretation |
Xhosa translation |
Afrikaans translation |
|
ANALYZE Make an analysis of detailed examination
Separate into parts and interpret |
HLAHLELA Yenza uhlahlelo lwenkcukacha yoviwo
Yahlula ibe ngamaqhekeza uze utolike |
ONTLEED Doen ‘n ontleding van gedetailleerde ondersoek Breek op in verskillende dele en interpreteer |
|
COMMENT Opinion given Explanatory note |
YENZA (Amagqabantshi’inthshi) Uluvo ulunikiwe Iletana yenkcazelo |
LEWER KOMMENTAAR Gee opinie Gee verduideliking |
|
COMPARE Estimate similarity of Declare to be similar Be worthy of comparison |
THELEKISA Thelekelela ufaniso Iwe: Bhengeza ukufana (imfano) Mayibe nexabiso lothelekiso |
VERGELYK Bepaal verskille en ooreenkomste |
|
CONTRAST Difference shown by comparison. Compare so as to show differences |
AHLUKANISA Umahluko uboniswa ngokuthelekisa Thelekisa ukubonisa iyantlukwano |
KRITISEER ‘n Kritiese bespreking, sterkpunte, swakpunte |
|
CRITICIZE Express |
HLALUTYA Faxanga uhlalutyo Iwe |
KRITISEER ‘n kritiese bespreking, sterkpunte, swakpunte |
|
DEFINE Give a definition of State precisely Outline clearly Mark the boundary of |
CHAZA Nika inkcazo ye Cacisa okanye chaza gca Gqabaza ngokucacileyo Yenza umda we |
DEFINIEER Verskaf ‘n definisie van Gee afbakening van onderwerp Gee presiese beskrywing Duidelike raamwerk |
|
DESCRIBE Give a description of |
CHAZA Nika inkcazo ye |
BESKRYF Gee ‘n besdrywing van
|
|
DIFFERENTIATE Be a difference between Distinguish between Develop differences |
YAHLULA Yahlula phakathi kwe Yahlula phakathi kwe Khulisa umahluko |
DIFFERENSIEER Daar moet ‘n verskil wees Maak die verskille duidelik Ontwikkel verskille |
|
DISCUSS Examine by argument Talk or write about |
XOXA Vavanya ngengxoxo Thetha okanye ubhale nge |
BESPREEK Ondersoek d.m.v. ‘n argument Praat of skryf oor |
|
EXAMINE Look at closely in order to learn about or from Question formally |
VAVANYA Jongisisa ukuze ufunde nge:- okanye kwi – Buza ngokolandelo-migaqo |
ONDERSOEK Kyk krities daarna om iets daaruit te leer of om dit beter te verstaan |
|
EVALUATE Find or state the value of |
NIKA IXABISO Khangela okanye uchaze ixabiso le:- |
EVALUEER Doen ‘n waardebepaling Vind uit wat die waarde is of noem die waarde |
|
EXPLAIN Make clear Show the meaning of Account for |
CHAZA Cacisa Bonisa intsingiselo ye – Chaza nge |
VERDUIDELIK Maak duidelik Maak die betekenis duidelik Gee rekenskap van |
|
IDENTIFY Recognise as being specified person or thing Consider to be identical Associate oneself closely in feeling or interest |
CHONGA Yivume okanye yibone njengondoqo/ uqobo lomntu okanye into Yiqwalasele njengento efanayo Zinxulumanise ngokusondeleyo ngemvo okanye umdla |
IDENTIFISEER Erken dat dit ‘n bepaalde persoon of ding is Sien dit as identies Assosieer daarmee m.b.t. eie gevoelens of belangstelling |
|
ILLUSTRATE Make clear by examples or pictures |
ZEKELISA Cacisa ngemizekelo okanye imifanekiso |
ILLUSTREER Maak duidelik d.m.v. voorbeelde of prente ens. |
|
INTERPRET Explain the meaning of Act as an interpreter |
TOLIKA Chaza intsingiselo ye:- Yenza ngokungathi uyitoliki |
INTERPRETEER Verduidelik die betekenis daarvan Tree op as interpreteerder
|
|
JUSTIFY Show to be right or just or reasonable |
THETHELELA Bonisa ukulunga okanye ukufaneleka okanye ukuvakala |
REGVERDIGING Bewys dat dit reg of regverdig of redelik is Bewys dat daar genoeg rede daarvoor is |
|
LIST Written, printed series, items, figures etc. |
YENZA ULUHLU Olubhaliweyo, olushicelelweyo lwamagama, izinto amanani njalonjalo |
LYS/NOEM Geskrewe of gedrukte reeks van name, items, figure ens. |
|
MENTION Speak or write about briefly Refer to by name |
CHAPHAZELA Thetha okanyelubhale ngokufutshane nge:- Yibize nge gama (singisa kuyo ngegama) |
NOEM Praat of skryf kortliks Verwys daarna by naam |
|
OUTLINE Summary Show a thing’s shape |
GQABAZA Isishwanka thelo Bonisa isakheko kwento ukwakheka |
OPSOM/OMLYN Opsomming; gee oorsig; skets die hoofpunte |
|
REVIEW General survey of events or a subject Reconsideration Report assessing the merits of a book or a play |
HLAZIYA Ucando ngokubanzi iweziganeko okanye umxholo Uphindo-ngqwalaselo Nika ingxelo uhlalutye Incwadi okanye umdlalo |
RESENSIE Algemene oorsig van geberure of onderwerp Heroorweging Rapporteer d.m.v ‘n waardebepaling van meriete van ‘n boek of toneelstuk ens. |
|
STATE Express in words Specify |
XELA Faxanga ngamazwi Chaza-ngqo |
NOEM Druk uit in woorde Spesifiseer |
|
SHOW Allow or cause to be seen Offer for inspection or viewing
|
BONISA Vuma okanye wenze ukuba ubonwe Nikela ukuba uhlolwe okanye wenziwe imbono Qondakalisa Yalatha-gca Ngqina Yenza ukuba kuqondwe Nika umfanekiso we:- |
WYS Help die leser om die prent te sien Bewys Help die leser om te verstaan Bied dit op so ‘n wyse aan dat die leser dit kan besigtig |
|
SUMMARISE (To make a) statement Gving the main points of something brief give main points only without attention to details or formalities |
SHWANKATHELA Ukwenza inkcazo unike qmanqaku Aphambili ngomba Ngokufutshane Nika amanqaku aphambili kuphela Ngaphande kwengqalelo Kwinkcukacha okanye ulandelo migaqo |
SOM OP Maak ‘n stelling en gee die hoofpunt kortliks, gee net die hoofpunt geen detail of formaliteite nie. |
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