As you study for your HSC it is important you know and understand the NESA key words as they tell you what you need to do as you answer your HSC questions. NESA has a list of all their key words along with definitions. While many teachers will encourage you to memorise these definitions there are easier ways than simply memorising a flashcard or trying to reproduce the definition for each term.

The fast way to learn NESA key words

I have found the fastest way to learn most of the NESA key words is to categorise each term, learning their similarities and then distinguishing between them inside each category. In fact, I have a poster I sell that helps with this process of categorising and learning the meaning of the terms and what you need to do in the HSC exam question answer as you write it.

The “what” key words

One category of NESA key words could be described as the “what?” group. This group is all about providing basic information about the topic or its characteristics and features of it. This group includes NESA key words such as:

• identify
• outline, and
• describe

In order to answer questions using these key words you might use terms such as: includes, map up from, is, are, for instance, for example, or such as. These phrases indicate you are providing some sort of description for the reader.

The “debate” key words

Another category could be the debate category. In this category, all the NESA key words require you to give points for and against something with various depths of insight. This group includes NESA key words such as:

• discuss
• debate
• distinguish
• argue
• contrast, and
• compare

As you respond to questions using these key words you could show you are addressing them by including terms such as: on the other hand, conversely, whereas, in contrast, this is different/similar to, comparatively, however, or in support of this.

The “relationship” key words

The third group I use for the NESA key words is the relationship group. This group is all about showing connections between things. Words included in this group are:

• explain
• analyse
• why
• how, and
• account for

This group of NESA key words asks you to connect the dots and show how they relate. When you answer these types of questions you want to show the reader you are relating things. To do this you might use terms such as: consequently, because, therefore, so as, as a result, causes, leads to, an effect on, produces, initiates, or as a consequence of. Each of these terms or phrases shows the reader you are relating things and ensures you are answering the question properly.

The “assess” key words

The final group or category for NESA key words that I use in PDHPE is the assess category. In this category each word is asking you to use a set of criteria to determine the value of something or how effective it is. The words I put in this group include:

• assess
• evaluate
• judge
• justify, and
• to what extent

Often to answer these types of questions you would include some form of discussion and/or explanation but you are going a step further. You are providing clear conclusions about the effectiveness of the relationship or topic. To do this I encourage you to make sure you are using words or phrases such as: in conclusion, based on this, it can be determined that, limitations include, therefore, evidence for this includes, or strongly suggests. These lead you to then make a statement that assesses the topic being discussed.

NESA key word “critically”

I keep the word critically separate from these four groups as it can be applied to almost all of them. The term critically is simply asking you to add more detail and depth to what you are providing. You need to make sure you are using logic (this leads to that), have asked questions about the topic, and reflected to consider the value and effect of things. To critically do something requires an extra layer of quality. It is like checking over your work to make sure you can back up what you are saying and using examples and references to support your answer.

This system will help you better understand the NESA key words. It will also help you ensure you are doing exactly what the question wants you to do.

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