Increasing Critical Thinking POWER VERBS with
Remembering Level
identify - name All the information I know What the question asks What matches
list - itemize or give in order 1. ________ 2. ________ 3. ________ 4. ________ 5. ________
define - give the meaning word Definition (in own words) characteristics examplesnon-examples Frayer Model
describe - tell everything you know; give details and examples or lookssoundsfeelssmellstastes
trace - give events or steps in order 1.______ 2.______ 3 ______ 4 ______ 5 ______ or
Other Remembering Level Verbs Tell Write Find State Name Label Recall Match Draw Select
Understanding Level
summarize - tell the main points or ideas details and examples big ideas
explain - tell all about What I thinkWhy I think thatExample
discuss - tell about in detail What I thinkWhy I think thatExample
infer – read between the lines; make an educated guess Evidence (details or examples) What it means Why it means that
predict - forecast; tell what will come next Evidence (details or examples) What will come next Why it will come next
interpret – tell about the meaning or significance What is important Reasons why it is important
Other Understanding Level Verbs Outline Distinguish Restate Convert Demonstrate Paraphrase
Applying Level
classify – to arrange or organize into groups according to attributes GroupAttributes
construct - build or create by putting together parts or information
apply - to put to use
Other Applying Level Verbs Solve Illustrate Examine Manipulate Choose Apply Produce Calculate
Analyzing Level
analyze - break apart Generalization or Conclusion Reason 1Reason 2Reason 3
compare - tell about similarities and differences Venn Diagram similarities item 2 item 1 differences with regard to... or
Other Analyzing Level Verbs Distinguish Examine Investigate Explain Differentiate Categorize
Evaluating Level
criticize - give good and bad points Good PointsBad Points
support - give examples, details, or reasons I. General Statement A. Example/detail/reason B. Example/detail/reason C. Example/detail/reason II. General Statement A. Example/detail/reason B. Example/detail/reason C. Example/detail/reason III. General Statement A.Example/detail/reason B.Example/detail/reason C.Example/detail/reason or General Statement Example/ detail/reason Concept Example/ detail/reason Example/ detail/reason 12 34
evaluate - judge; rate Good PointsBad PointsOverall Rating
justify - prove; give evidence or facts Generalization or Conclusion Facts
Other Evaluating Level Verbs Judge Select Decide Debate Defend Verify Argue Assess Determine
Creating Level
formulate - make up; create; construct All the information I know How it could be put together in a new way
design - make up; create; construct according to a plan All the information I know How it could be put together in a new way
Other Creating Level Verbs Create Invent Compose Plan Imagine Construct Design Devise Propose Combine