Command Words
The reading-specific learning outcome statements (LOS) contained in the study
sessions are carefully designed to indicate what you should learn from each
assignment. Although the format of the exams may not lend itself to using the
following command words in the actual questions, you should be able to answer
the exam questions if you can successfully accomplish the learning outcomes
described by these command words in the LOS.
Commonly used command words:
Analyze To study or determine the nature and relationship of the parts of
by analysis.
Appraise To judge and analyze the worth, significance, or status of.
Arrange To put into a proper order or into a correct or suitable sequence,
relationship, or adjustment.
Calculate To ascertain or determine by mathematical processes.
Characterize To describe the essential character or quality of.
Cite To quote by way of evidence, authority, or proof.
Classify To arrange in classes; to assign to a category.
Combine To bring into such close relationship as to obscure individual
characteristics.
Comment To observe, remark, or express an opinion or attitude concerning
what has been seen or heard about the subject at hand.
Compare To examine the character or qualities of, for the primary purpose
of discovering resemblances.
Compose To form by putting together; to form the substance of.
Compute To determine, especially by mathematical means.
Conclude To make a decision about; to reach a logically necessary end by
reasoning.
Construct To create by organizing ideas or concepts logically and coherently.
Contrast To compare in respect to differences.
Convert To change from one form or function to another.
Create To produce or bring about by a course of action or imaginative
skill.
Criticize To consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly; to
find fault with.
Critique To offer a critical review or commentary.
Define To set forth the meaning of; specifically, to formulate a definition
of.
Demonstrate To prove or make clear by reasoning or evidence; to illustrate and
explain, especially with examples.
Describe To transmit a mental image, an impression, or an understanding of
the nature and characteristics of.
Design To conceive or plan out in the mind.
Determine To come to a decision as the result of investigation or reasoning;
to settle or decide by choice among alternatives or possibilities.
Diagram To represent by or put into the form of a diagram.
Differentiate To mark or show a difference in; to develop different characteristics
in.
Discriminate To mark or perceive the distinguishing or peculiar features of; to
distinguish by discerning or exposing differences.
Discuss To discourse about through reasoning or argument; to present in
detail.
Distinguish To perceive a difference in; to separate into kinds, classes, or
categories.
Draft To draw up, compose, prepare, frame.
Draw To express graphically in words; to delineate.
Estimate To judge the value, worth, or significance of.
Evaluate To determine or fix the value of; to determine the significance or
worth of, usually by careful appraisal and study.
Explain To give the meaning or significance of; to provide an
understanding of; to give the reason for or cause of.
Formulate To put into a systematized statement or expression; to prepare
according to a formula.
Give To yield or furnish as a product, consequence, or effect; to offer for
the consideration, acceptance, or use of another.
Identify To establish the identity of; to show or prove the sameness of.
Illustrate To make clear, especially by giving examples or instances.
Indicate To point out or point to with more or less exactness; to show or
make known with a fair degree of certainty.
Infer To derive as a conclusion from factors or premises.
Interpret To explain or tell the meaning of; to present in understandable
terms.
Judge To form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence
and testing of premises.
Justify To prove or show to be valid, sound, or conforming to fact or
reason; to furnish grounds or evidence for.
List To enumerate.
Match To pair up or put in a set as possessing equal or harmonizing
attributes.
Modify To make minor changes to give a new orientation to or to serve a
new end.
Name To mention or identify by name.
Order To put in order; to arrange.
Outline To indicate the principal features or different parts of.
Predict To declare in advance; to foretell on the basis of observation,
experience, or reason.
Prepare To put into written form; to draw up.
Present To offer or convey by way of message; to furnish or provide.
Rearrange To put back into proper order or into a correct or suitable sequence,
relationship, or adjustment.
Recommend To bring forward as being fit or worthy; to indicate as being one's
choice for something or as otherwise having one's approval or
support.
Record To set down in writing; to make an answer.
Relate To show or establish logical or causal connection between.
Respond To say or write something in return; to make an answer.
Restate To state again in a new form.
Review To make a formal or official examination of the state of; to go over
or examine critically or deliberately.
Revise To make a new, amended, improved, or up-to-date version of.
Select To choose from a number or group -- usually, by fitness,
excellence, or other distinguishing feature.
Separate To set or keep apart; to make a distinction between; to sort.
Show To set forth in a statement, account, or description; to make
evident or clear.
Solve To find a solution for a problem.
State To express in words.
Subdivide To divide the parts into more parts.
Summarize To tell in or reduce to a summary.
Support To provide with verification, corroboration, or substantiation.
Write To put on paper; to record, state, or explain.
