1. Increasing Critical Thinking
with
POWER VERBS

2. (Knowledge/Comprehension)
Recall Level
(Knowledge/Comprehension)

3. identify - name All the information I know What the question asks
What matches

4. list - itemize or give
in order
1. ________
________

5. Definition (in own words)
define - give the meaning
Frayer Model
Definition (in own words)
characteristics
word
examples
non-examples

6. describe - tell everything you know; give details and examples
looks
sounds
feels
smells
tastes or

7. summarize - tell the main points or ideas
details and
examples
big ideas

8. explain - tell all about
What I think
Why I think that
Example

9. discuss - tell about in detail
What I think
Why I think that
Example

10. Application Level

11. trace - give events or steps in order
______ or

12. predict - forecast; tell what will come next
Evidence
(details or examples)
What
will come next
Why
it will come next

13. Reasons why it is important
interpret – tell about the meaning or significance
What is important
Reasons why it is important

14. Analysis Level

15. Generalization or Conclusion
analyze -break apart
Generalization or Conclusion
Reason 1
Reason 2
Reason 3

16. 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

17. infer – read between the lines; make an educated guess
Evidence
(details or examples)
What
it means
Why
it means that

18. Synthesis Level

19. formulate -make up; create
All the information I know
How it could be put together in a new way

20. Evaluation Level

21. criticize - give
good and bad points
Good Points
Bad Points

22. compare -tell about similarities and differences
item 1
item 2
similarities
Venn Diagram or
differences with regard to. . .
item 1
item 2

23. evaluate -judge; rate
Good Points
Bad Points
Overall Rating

24. Generalization or Conclusion
justify - prove; give evidence or facts
Generalization or Conclusion
Facts