Analyse the question

Analysing the question helps you clarify what is required, identify the topic and focus of the essay, and generate questions to guide your research.

Task – the key instruction word which tells you what you need to do. List of common task words and definitions. 

Topic – broad subject area

Focus – area within the topic to concentrate on

Once you have determined the task, topic and focus, jot down some relevant questions to help you focus your research.

Using the example above:

• What is a small population?
• What is genetic diversity?
• How does reduced genetic diversity relate to species extinction?
• How does genetic diversity affect fitness?
• Are there examples of small populations that became extinct due to reduced genetic diversity?
• Does reduced genetic diversity always lead to extinction in small populations?