Increasing Critical Thinking with POWER VERBS
(Knowledge/Comprehension) Recall Level (Knowledge/Comprehension)
identify - name All the information I know What the question asks What matches
list - itemize or give in order 1. ________ ________
Definition (in own words) define - give the meaning Frayer Model Definition (in own words) characteristics word examples non-examples
describe - tell everything you know; give details and examples looks sounds feels smells tastes or
summarize - tell the main points or ideas details and examples big ideas
explain - tell all about What I think Why I think that Example
discuss - tell about in detail What I think Why I think that Example
Application Level
trace - give events or steps in order ______ or
predict - forecast; tell what will come next Evidence (details or examples) What will come next Why it will come next
Reasons why it is important interpret – tell about the meaning or significance What is important Reasons why it is important
Analysis Level
Generalization or Conclusion analyze -break apart Generalization or Conclusion Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3
support - give examples, details, or reasons I. General Statement A. Example/detail/reason B. Example/detail/reason C. Example/detail/reason II. General Statement III. General Statement Example/detail/reason 1 2 General Statement Example/ detail/reason or Concept 3 4 Example/ detail/reason Example/ detail/reason
infer – read between the lines; make an educated guess Evidence (details or examples) What it means Why it means that
Synthesis Level
formulate -make up; create All the information I know How it could be put together in a new way
Evaluation Level
criticize - give good and bad points Good Points Bad Points
compare -tell about similarities and differences item 1 item 2 similarities Venn Diagram or differences with regard to. . . item 1 item 2
evaluate -judge; rate Good Points Bad Points Overall Rating
Generalization or Conclusion justify - prove; give evidence or facts Generalization or Conclusion Facts