Evaluate. Discuss. Analyse. Explain. OK, what's the difference between those 4 words?

[RoseberrryTopping]

I'm about to embark on a degree after quite frankly decades out of education. So I'm decidedly rusty and I'm using the next few months to familiarise myself with how to compose an essay correctly

So my question. What is the difference between discussing and explaining? Between analysing and evaluating?

They all are very similar aren't they? How do you actually know that you're analysing something when you should actually be explaining it? (For example)

Thanks in advance!

https://usstudent.elevateeducation.com/media/blog/what-are-command-words-and-why-do-they-matter

Gives a very succinct description.

I would say discussing involves looking at something from more points of view than explaining.

And I think analysing is a detailed explanation, whereas evaluating involves judgements.

@AlisonDonut that's exactly what I was looking for. I obviously know they mean different things but it's just so nuanced that I needed it straight in my brain before I start discussing something I should be analysing

Thank you!

@YellowHairband thanks so much, really useful

Page 25 and 26 of the Oral Language Modifier handbook has command word definitions

(The whole booklet is an interesting read tbh!)

https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/233444/OLM-Guidance-Examples-2017.pdf

Discuss: implicitly means 'to what extent is this a valid claim?'
Explain: (You'll rarely be asked simply to do this. If you are, you should set out a clear summary).
Analyse: advance a clear argument based on detailed evidence and weighing up particular components (ie themes, theories, frameworks) (NB. all work done at degree level should be based on evidence).
Evaluate: to weigh up how valid and/or valuable something is.