Explicit

How it is used

Supervisors often ask students to make an argument, link or assumption more explicit. In education research, explicit instruction means teaching a skill directly. The adverb explicitly is common: 'The author does not explicitly state ...'. Implicit means suggested but not stated.

Example sentences

1. Make the link between your findings and the research questions more explicit.

2. The policy document does not explicitly mention refugee students.

Common collocations

• make explicit
• explicit reference to
• explicitly state
• explicit and implicit

Related terms

• assumptionSomething accepted as true without being proved, which a theory, method or statistical test depends on.
• argumentA position supported by reasons and evidence, or the line of reasoning that runs through an essay, article or thesis.
• stanceA writer's position or attitude toward a topic or claim, shown through word choice, use of evidence and how strongly ideas are expressed.
• signpostingWords and phrases that tell readers or listeners how a text or talk is organized and where the argument is going next.

More terms: Academic Vocabulary

• indicate
• e.g.
• i.e.
• concept
• approach
• implication
• demonstrate
• furthermore
• phenomenon
• comprise
• respectively
• however