essay question synonyms

The Writing Guide

• The First Thing
• Step 1: Understanding the essay question

Identify task, content & limiting words in the essay question

Words, words, words..., academic writing webinar part 1.

• Step 2: Critical note-taking
• Step 3: Planning your assignment
• Step 4a: Effective writing
• Step 4b: Summarizing & paraphrasing
• Step 4c: Academic language
• Step 5: Editing and reviewing
• Getting started with research
• Working with keywords
• Evaluating sources
• Research file
• Reading Smarter
• Sample Essay
• What, why, where, when, who?
• Referencing styles
• Writing Resources
• Exams and Essay Questions

Essay topics contain key words that explain what information is required and how it is to be presented.  Using the essay question below indentify task content & limiting words.  Regardless of your topic or discipline, if you can identify these words in your essay topic, you can begin to consider what you will need to do to answer the question.

Task words : These are words that tell you what to do, for example “compare”, “discuss”, “critically evaluate”, “explain” etc.

Content words : These words in the essay topic will tell you which ideas and concepts should form the knowledge base of the assignment. Refer to subject specific dictionary or glossary.

Effective communication is considered a core skill in higher education and is usually conveyed through the medium of academic papers and essays. Discuss the process of writing academic essays and critically examine the importance of structure and content.

Before you scroll down to the next box, what can you unpack from this topic? What are you actually going to look for in a search tool like One Search? What are you supposed to do?

• Content Words
• Limiting Words
• Context Words

Task words are usually verbs and they tell you what to do to complete your assignment.

You need to identify these words, because you will need to follow these instructions to pass the assignment.  As you research and write your assignment, check these words occasionally to make sure you are still doing what you have been asked to do.

Here are some definitions of different academic task words.  Make sure you know exactly what you need to do for your assignment.

Don't try to use them in your research - they aren't things to find, only things to do.

The task words from our sample question are:

Effective communication is considered a core skill in higher education and is usually conveyed through the medium of academic papers and essays. Discuss the process of writing academic essays and critically examine the importance of structure and content.

• Discuss means to "consider and offer an interpretation or evaluation of something; or give a judgment on the value of arguments for and against something"
• Examine means to inspect something in detail and investigate the implications

So, you would need to give a short description of what essay writing is all about, and then offer an evaluation of the essay structure and the way it presents content.

• Task Words Here are some definitions of different academic task words. Make sure you know exactly what you need to do for your assignment.

The content words are the "meat" of the question - these are things you can research.

Effective communication is considered a core skill in higher education and is usually conveyed through the medium of academic papers and essays . Discuss the process of writing academic essays and critically examine the importance of structure and content .

You will often be asked to talk about "the role" something plays or "processes", "importance", "methods" or "implementations" - but you can't really research these things just by looking for those words.

You need to find the keywords - the most concrete concepts - and search for those.  The information you find about the concrete terms will tell you about the "roles" and "methods", the "process" or the "importance", but they probably won't use those words exactly.

One of the core skills of academic research is learning to extrapolate :  to find the connections in the information you can find that will help you answer the questions which don't have clear, cut-and-dry answers in the books and articles.

So, the core keywords/concepts to research are:

• "academic writing"
• "higher education"
• structure and content

Limiting words keep you focused on a particular area, and stop you from trying to research everything in the history of mankind.

They could limit you by:

• Time (you may be asked to focus on the last 5 years, or the late 20th Century, for example)
• Place (you may be asked to focus on Australia, or Queensland, or South-East Asia)
• People groups (such as "women over the age of 50" or "people from low socio-economic backgrounds" or "Australians of Asian descent")
• Extent (you are only to look at a particular area, or the details you believe are most relevant or appropriate).

In this example, you have two limits:

• "higher education" is the industry focus. This could be expanded to include the tertiary or university sector.
• Essays - we are concentrating on essay writing as the aspect of communication.  Note that this is also a content word. There can be (and usually is) some crossover.

Sometimes it can help to add your own limits .  With health sciences, you almost always limit your research to the last five or six years. Social sciences  are not as strict with the date range but it's still a good idea to keep it recent.  You could specifically look at the Australian context.  You may decide to focus on the private sector within that industry.

With the question above you could limit yourself to only looking at first year university students.

Sometimes an assignment task will give you phrases or sentences that aren't part of the task at all:  they exist to give you some context .

These can be ignored when you do your research, but you should read over them occasionally as you are writing your assignment.  They help you know what the lecturer was thinking about (and wanted you to think about) when they set that task.

Effective communication is considered a core skill in higher education and is usually conveyed through the medium of academic papers and essays . Discuss the process of writing academic essays and critically examine the importance of structure and content.

You don't have to do anything with the first sentence of this question - but it does get you to think specifically about the "using essays to communicate knoweldge" - something that isn't mentioned in the task itself.

Obviously, whoever wrote the task wants you to think about the assignments as a form of writing and communication.

It is easy to get distracted and go off on tangents when doing your research .  Use the context words to  help you keep your focus where it should be.

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• 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument . Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

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noun as in a query

Strongest matches

• investigation
• questioning

Strong matches

• examination
• inquisition
• interrogation
• interrogatory

Weak matches

• third degree

noun as in controversy, doubt

• uncertainty
• remonstrance
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noun as in issue, point at issue

• proposition

verb as in ask for answer

• interrogate
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verb as in doubt

• call into question
• cast doubt upon
• puzzle over
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Example sentences.

If you can’t find any, try commenting on the videos you have questions about.

It hinted that quantum physicists had hit on the right answer to the wrong question.

It’s just a question of finding them and working out which are most useful to you.

Interviewers ask useless questions, make snap judgments, and favor candidates with backgrounds that are similar to their own.

Before going through all these steps, make sure that the URL in question is not canonicalized, no-indexed, blocked in robots etc.

He also bragged about earning a PhD, a point Smerconish did not question.

She narrowed her eyes, bit her lip as if to chew over the question, and whisked some stray blond hairs away from her face.

Her post-crown fame, though, only further begs the question: Why has there not been another Jewish Miss America since 1945?

We were barely into the appetizer when he asked a fairly basic question—where did my family live?

The woman in question, meanwhile, has business of her own to take care of—she is reported to be shopping a memoir.

There was no doubt thought of his own loss in this question: yet there was, one may hope, a germ of solicitude for the mother too.

In fact, except for Ramona's help, it would have been a question whether even Alessandro could have made Baba work in harness.

It's an idle question, I know; wise men and musty philosophers say that regrets are foolish.

Accordingly, the question "How far does the note issue under the new system seem likely to prove an elastic one?"

The moment was an awkward one, and Cynthia wished madly that she had not been prompted to ask that unfortunate question.

Related Words

Words related to question are not direct synonyms, but are associated with the word question . Browse related words to learn more about word associations.

noun as in matter or business to be taken care of; happening activity

• circumstance
• office function
• responsibility
• transaction
• undertaking

noun as in request for help

• application
• imploration
• importunity
• requisition
• solicitation
• supplication

verb as in request

Viewing 5 / 97 related words

On this page you'll find 201 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to question, such as: inquiry, investigation, query, questioning, catechism, and examination.

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.

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4.5 Synonyms and Antonyms

Learning objectives.

• Recognize how synonyms improve writing.
• Identify common antonyms to increase your vocabulary.

As you work with your draft, you will want to pay particular attention to the words you have chosen. Do they express exactly what you are trying to convey? Can you choose better, more effective words? Familiarity with synonyms and antonyms can be helpful in answering these questions.

Synonyms are words that have the same, or almost the same, meaning as another word. You can say an “easy task” or a “simple task” because easy and simple are synonyms. You can say Hong Kong is a “large city” or a “metropolis” because city and metropolis are synonyms.

However, it is important to remember that not all pairs of words in the English language are so easily interchangeable. The slight but important differences in meaning between synonyms can make a big difference in your writing. For example, the words boring and insipid may have similar meanings, but the subtle differences between the two will affect the message your writing conveys. The word insipid evokes a scholarly and perhaps more pretentious message than boring .

The English language is full of pairs of words that have subtle distinctions between them. All writers, professionals and beginners alike, face the challenge of choosing the most appropriate synonym to best convey their ideas. When you pay particular attention to synonyms in your writing, it comes across to your reader. The sentences become much more clear and rich in meaning.

Writing at Work

Any writing you do at work involves a careful choice of words. For example, if you are writing an e-mail to your employer regarding your earnings, you can use the word pay , salary , or hourly wage . There are also other synonyms to choose from. Just keep in mind that the word you choose will have an effect on the reader, so you want to choose wisely to get the desired effect.

Replace the underlined words in the paragraph with appropriate synonyms. Write the new paragraph on your own sheet of paper.

Collaboration

Please share with a classmate and compare your answers.

On your own sheet of paper, write a sentence with each of the following words that illustrates the specific meaning of each synonym.

• leave, abandon
• mad, insane
• outside, exterior
• poor, destitute
• quiet, peaceful
• riot, revolt
• rude, impolite
• talk, conversation
• hug, embrace
• home, residence

Antonyms are words that have the opposite meaning of a given word. The study of antonyms will not only help you choose the most appropriate word as you write; it will also sharpen your overall sense of language. Table 4.3 “Common Antonyms” lists common words and their antonyms.

Table 4.3 Common Antonyms

Learning antonyms is an effective way to increase your vocabulary. Memorizing words in combination with or in relation to other words often helps us retain them.

Correct the following sentences by replacing the underlined words with an antonym. Write the antonym on your own sheet of paper.

• The pilot who landed the plane was a coward because no one was injured.
• Even though the botany lecture was two hours long, Gerard found it incredibly dull .
• My mother says it is impolite to say thank you like you really mean it.
• Although I have learned a lot of information through textbooks, it is life experience that has given me ignorance .
• When our instructor said the final paper was compulsory , it was music to my ears!
• My only virtues are coffee, video games, and really loud music.
• Elvin was so bold when he walked in the classroom that he sat in the back row and did not participate.
• Maria thinks elephants who live in freedom have a sad look in their eyes.
• The teacher filled her students’ minds with gloomy thoughts about their futures.
• The guest attended to every one of our needs.

Key Takeaways

• Synonyms are words that have the same, or almost the same, meaning as another word.
• Antonyms are words that have the opposite meaning of another word.
• Choosing the right synonym refines your writing.
• Learning common antonyms sharpens your sense of language and expands your vocabulary.

Writing Application

Write a paragraph that describes your favorite dish or food. Use as many synonyms as you can in the description, even if it seems too many. Be creative. Consult a thesaurus, and take this opportunity to use words you have never used before. Be prepared to share your paragraph.

Writing for Success Copyright © 2015 by University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Choosing keywords for your search

What are keywords.

Keywords define your topic and are the words you use to search for information in online search engines and our Library Search.

Identifying keywords

If you are searching for information for an essay question or project, you'll need to identify the keywords in your essay question.

If there are any words you're unsure of in your essay question, make sure you check them in a dictionary.

More help on identifying keywords can be found on our  Understanding essay questions page .

Different meanings in different contexts

Sometimes the context of a word may change its meaning, for example 'icon' could refer to a graphic on a computer desktop or to religious art.

Some words may have different meanings in American and British English, for example 'crisps' are 'chips' in American English.

Search engines and electronic resources do not take account of these different meanings, so if the resource you are searching covers a range of subjects, you may get search results that are nothing to do with your topic.

Using synonyms as alternative keywords

As well as using the keywords in your essay question, think of some synonyms you can use as alternative keywords.

Synonyms are words that have the same meaning, eg 'car' and 'automobile'.

Using synonyms as alternative keywords will help you find information that is about your topic, but that may use different words to describe it.

A thesaurus is a list of synonyms and can help you identify alternative keywords. Many electronic resources include their own thesaurus. For example, you might be told to use the word "building "instead of "structure". Many thesauri are published as reference books, for example Roget's Thesaurus. You can find copies of published thesauri in the libraries or online.

Alternative spellings and names

Remember that some words have different possible spellings, for example ‘organisation’ and ‘organization’.

There may also be differences between American and British English spelling, for example ‘color’ or ‘colour’.

If you are looking for information about a person, remember that they may be known by other names, for example 'Cherie Blair' or 'Cherie Booth'.

If you are searching for older information about a place or organisation, remember to account for name changes. For example, if you are searching for information about Russia, you may need to search for both 'Russia' and 'USSR'. If you are searching for information about the European Union you may also need to search for 'European Economic Community'.

Names may also be abbreviated. For example, if you are searching for information about the European Union, you may also need to search for 'EU'.

Changes in terminology

If you are searching for older material, think of how terminology may have changed.

This could be due to social changes, for example ‘flight attendant’ instead of ‘air hostess’, or changes to what is considered to be appropriate language, for example ‘visually impaired’ rather than ‘blind’.  ​​

Related pages

Understanding essay questions.

Learn how to find the information you need when writing an essay.

Understanding process words

Find explanations of common process words to help you understand what is required of you when answering essay questions.

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Meaning of "essay question" in the English dictionary

Pronunciation of essay question, grammatical category of essay question, what does essay question mean in english, definition of essay question in the english dictionary.

The definition of essay question in the dictionary is an examination question that requires an answer in the form of an essay.

WORDS THAT RHYME WITH ESSAY QUESTION

Words that begin like essay question, words that end like essay question, synonyms and antonyms of essay question in the english dictionary of synonyms, words relating to «essay question», translation of «essay question» into 25 languages.

TRANSLATION OF ESSAY QUESTION

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FREQUENCY OF USE OF THE TERM «ESSAY QUESTION» OVER TIME

Examples of use in the english literature, quotes and news about essay question, 10 english books relating to «essay question», 10 news items which include the term «essay question».

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Synonyms of 'question' in American English

Synonyms of 'question' in british english, phrases:  , idioms:  , additional synonyms, video: pronunciation of question.

Browse alphabetically question

• querulousness
• questionability
• questionable
• questionableness
• All ENGLISH synonyms that begin with 'Q'

Related terms of question

• in question
• beyond question
• cross-question
• without question
• pop the question
• View more related words

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How to Write Good Essay Test Questions

Jessica cook.

As teachers, constructing strong and solid tests can be a daunting task. Students never want to take tests, but they especially don't want to take a test that makes little sense or seems to have been thrown together. Create quality essay tests for your students by using careful consideration and planning in your essay question writing.

Use clear, directional verbs. Some essays ask students to "discuss" a topic, but that gives them little direction as to how they should approach that topic. Stronger verbs include words like compare, contrast or evaluate. Using words like these will help students understand what you want them to do in their essays. As Indiana University reminds teachers, "Clearly stated questions not only make essay tests easier for students to answer, but also make them easier for instructors to score."

Use essays to measure higher-level thinking skills. Do not ask essay questions that only ask students to remember or summarize. Rather, ask questions that require students to analyze, synthesize or explain a topic within a new context. This makes the essay worth writing, and it validates the effort you will use to grade it.

Utilize Bloom's Taxonomy as you write your essay questions. Focus on the higher levels of the taxonomy, such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Bloom's Taxonomy provides sample ideas of what students should know and be able to do at each level of understanding; take these samples and turn them into essay questions.

Require students to write several short essays rather than one long one. This helps the students because it gives them a chance to write on a variety of topics; if their understanding of one topic is deficient, they can still earn points for the other topics. It also helps you as a teacher, because it is easier to score a short essay than a long one. You can combine the scores of several essays to get a more objective grade for the student instead of grading them on one piece of writing alone. As the Utah State Office of Education notes, "It will be easier to prepare scoring guides for several short items and your scoring will be much more reliable than on one long item."

Give your students clear guidelines for how to answer the essays. When you write your questions, think about how you want your students to answer them. Use this knowledge to develop a scoring rubric, and include it with the test. This way your students will have a guideline to use as they write, and they will have a better chance of earning a good score on their essay tests.

• 1 Indiana University: How to Write Better Tests

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© 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Based on the Word Net lexical database for the English Language. See disclaimer .

Synonyms of questioning

• as in inquiry
• as in skeptical
• as in challenging
• as in pondering
• as in doubting
• as in asking
• as in interrogating
• More from M-W
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Thesaurus Definition of questioning

 (Entry 1 of 3)

Synonyms & Similar Words

• interrogation
• attentiveness
• interference
• inquisitiveness
• intrusiveness
• officiousness
• obtrusiveness
• meddlesomeness
• curiousness
• eavesdropping
• rubbernecking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• incuriosity
• incuriousness
• disinterestedness

questioning

Thesaurus Definition of questioning  (Entry 2 of 3)

• incredulous
• disbelieving
• unbelieving
• negativistic
• distrustful
• mistrustful
• experienced
• inquisitive
• unconvinced
• sophisticated
• undetermined
• worldly - wise
• unquestioning
• unsophisticated
• simpleminded
• wide - eyed
• inexperienced
• impractical
• unsuspecting
• unsuspicious

Thesaurus Definition of questioning  (Entry 3 of 3)

• challenging
• calling into question
• calling in question
• mistrusting
• kicking (about)
• objecting (to)
• championing
• considering
• contemplating
• entertaining
• deliberating
• thinking (about or over)
• mulling (over)
• wrestling (with)
• chewing over
• poring (over)
• kicking around
• reflecting (on or upon)
• reminiscing
• beating one's brains out (about)
• cudgeling one's brains (about)
• musing (upon)
• second - guessing
• speculating (about)
• dwelling (on or upon)
• fixating (on or upon)
• brooding (about or over)
• obsessing (about or over)
• fretting (about or over)
• assimilating
• drinking (in)
• disregarding
• overlooking
• pooh - poohing
• distrusting
• misdoubting
• discounting
• discrediting
• depending (on or upon)
• relying (on or upon)
• counting (on or upon)
• banking (on or upon)
• interrogating
• inquiring (of)
• catechizing
• cross - questioning
• cross - examining
• picking the brains of
• giving the third degree to

Articles Related to questioning

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Thesaurus Entries Near questioning

questioners

questioningly

Cite this Entry

“Questioning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/questioning. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on questioning

Nglish: Translation of questioning for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of questioning for Arabic Speakers

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