Direction Words/Academic Vocabulary

To examine something in detail in order to understand it.

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ANALYZE

To make something clear by using description, relevant facts, or ideas

​EXPLAIN

To make something more clear or visible

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ILLUSTRATE

to note the similarities and/or dissimilarities between things

​​COMPARE

​to only note the dissimilarities between things

​​CONTRAST

To explain the meaning of something; to present something in understandable terms.

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INTERPRET

​To briefly share the main points of something

SUMMARIZE

To show; to explain something in clear terms

DEMONSTRATE

To point out; to show

INDICATE

To figure something out by using evidence and reasoning; "reading between the lines."

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INFER

To note details about something

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DESCRIBE

To defend; to back up with reasoning and/or evidence

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SUPPORT

To give the meaning (definition) of something

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DEFINE

To communicate an idea; to carry an idea or message across to the reader

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​CONVEY