Understanding Academic Task Verbs

Analyse

Examine in detail to show meaning, and identify elements and the relationship between them.

Assess

Make an informed judgement.

Calculate

Work out from given facts, figures, or information.

Comment

Give an informed opinion.

Compare

Identify/comment on similarities and/or differences.

Consider

Review and respond to given information.

Contrast

Identify/comment on differences.

Define

Give a precise meaning.

Describe

State the points of a topic/give characteristics and main features.

Develop

Take forward to a more advanced stage or build upon given information.

Discuss

Write about issues or topics in depth in a structured way.

Evaluate

Judge or calculate the quality, importance, amount, or value of something.

Explain

Set out purposes or reasons/make the relationships between things clear/say why and/or how and support with relevant evidence.

Give

Produce an answer from a given source or recall/memory.

Identify

Name/select/recognise.

Justify

Support a case with evidence/argument.

Outline

Set out the main points.

Predict

Suggest what may happen based on available information.

Sketch

Make a simple freehand drawing showing the key features, taking care over proportions.

State

Express in clear terms.

Suggest

Apply knowledge and understanding to situations where there are a range of valid responses to make proposals/put forward considerations.

Summarise

Choose and present the main points, without detail.