The command word tells you how much to write and what shape it takes. State wants one short fact, explain wants a reason, and discuss wants more than one side.
This lesson opens structured and extended answers. The full list of exam words is in the glossary.
What does each command word ask for?
| Word | Malay | What to write |
|---|---|---|
| State | Nyatakan | A short, direct answer |
| Explain | Jelaskan | A claim and the reason for it |
| Elaborate | Huraikan | Explain, with extra detail or an example |
| Suggest | Cadangkan | An action with a reason |
| Discuss | Bincangkan | Two sides or choices, then a conclusion |
| Evaluate | Nilaikan | A judgment supported by reasons |
One scenario, five shapes
Scenario: Rizal finds RM50 on the school canteen floor. He wonders whether to keep it.
State one value shown if he hands it in: “Honesty.”
Explain why he should hand it in: “He should hand it in because honesty means not keeping what belongs to someone else, and the owner may need it for lunch.”
Suggest what Rizal should do: “He should give it to the canteen operator or the teacher on duty, so the owner can claim it.”
Discuss his choices: “If he keeps it, he gains RM50 but hurts the owner and risks his conscience. If he hands it in, he loses the money but keeps his integrity and helps the owner.”
Evaluate Rizal’s decision to hand it in: “His decision was right because it respects the owner’s claim and keeps the school’s trust in students.”
The content is the same in every case. The length and shape are different.
The mistake to avoid
Writing a long explain answer to a state question wastes time. Writing a one-line answer to a discuss question leaves out the second side.
| Question | Wrong shape | Right shape |
|---|---|---|
| State one value | Three sentences of reasoning | One word or short phrase |
| Discuss two choices | One choice only | Both choices, then a conclusion |
Check yourself
Scenario: Alia sees her friend Dina copy homework from a classmate. Write one sentence for each: (a) state one value, (b) explain what Alia should do.
Answer
(a) Honesty.
(b) Alia should encourage Dina to do her own work because honesty means presenting only your own effort, and copying does not help Dina understand the topic.
Part (a) is short by design. Part (b) has the claim and the reason joined by because.
What to study next
Continue with developing a value, reason, action and consequence response. To see command words in a personal scenario, revisit analysing a personal responsibility scenario.
For a teacher to drill command words with you, see online one-to-one Pendidikan Moral tuition.