IB History of the Americas (HL) Command Terms

Command terms for the essays of the IB HOA HL exam. Best studied with "answer with definition" enabled.

Analyze

Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure; find relevant analytical or thematic points you could structure your essay around

Compare and Contrast

Give an account of the similarities and differences between the two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout; look for “themes” that you can focus your answer around

Discuss

You need to give a balanced analysis (e.g. successes vs failures, positives vs negatives, advantages vs disadvantages)

Examine

Look at the given issue through different “lenses;” show the interrelationship of factors

Evaluate

Identify and develop the strengths and limitations or successes and failures of an assertion made in the question or the focus of the question

To What Extent

Give two sides…set up arguments both supporting and challenging the factor or concept in question.

Historical Context

Refers to the moods, attitudes, and conditions that existed in a certain time; the “setting” for an event that occurs

Cause and Effect

How one event or choice leads to the occurrence of another event or choice

Continuity and Change

The way things change and the way things stay the same throughout time