Academic Vocab

Analyze

Examine carefully to determine why something has happened and explain the various parts.

Assess

Examine critically and estimate the merit, significance, or value.

Compare/Contrast

Point out similarities and differences between things.

Consider

Think about and include information about.

Criticize/Critique

Give judgment or opinion, showing good or bad points and providing evidence to justify opinion.

Define

Give the meaning of something with enough detail to show understanding.

Describe

Explain or write about something, giving a picture or account of it in words.

Diagram

Make a drawing or outline of something, labeling its parts.

Discuss

Give reasons with details.

Effect

Whatever is produced by a cause; result.

Enumerate

Count off or list examples, reasons, causes, or effects one by one.

Evaluate

Give opinion of the value of a subject, discussing its good and bad points, strengths and weaknesses.

Explain

Make clear or interpret the reasons why a situation exists or is happening.

Identify

List and explain.

Illustrate

Make a point or idea clear by giving examples.

Interpret

Give the meaning, using examples and personal comments to make it clear.

Justify

Prove by giving reasons.

List

List without details.

Outline

Make an organized listing of the important points of a subject.

Prove

Show that something is true by giving evidence and reasons.

Relate

Show the connections between things or how one thing causes another.

Respond

State overall reaction to the content and support it with specific reasons and examples.

Solve

Come up with a solution based on given facts and knowledge.

State

Give the main points in brief, clear form.

Summarize

Organize and bring together the main points, excluding personal opinions.

Support

Back up statements with facts and proof.

Synthesize

Pull together "parts" to make a "whole" by looking for common attributes among the parts to link them together.