Command words

What does the command word 'Analyse' mean?

• examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them

• identify/comment on similarities and/or differences

• give precise meaning

• state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features

What does the command word 'Compare' mean?

• examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them

• identify/comment on similarities and/or differences

• give precise meaning

• state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features

What does the command word 'Define' mean?

• examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them

• identify/comment on similarities and/or differences

• give precise meaning

• state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features

What does the command word 'Describe' mean?

• examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them

• identify/comment on similarities and/or differences

• give precise meaning

• state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features

What does the command word 'Evaluate' mean?

• identify/comment on similarities and/or differences

• state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features

• judge or calculate the quality, importance, amount, or value of something

• set out the main points

What does the command word 'Explain' mean?

• examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them

• identify/comment on similarities and/or differences

• state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features

• set out purposes or reasons/make the relationships between things clear/say why and/or how and support with relevant evidence

What does the command word 'Give' mean?

• identify/comment on similarities and/or differences

• give precise meaning

• state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features

• produce an answer from a given source or recall/memory

What does the command word 'Identify' mean?

• examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them

• name/select/recognise

• Give precise meaning

• identify/comment on similarities and/or diffrences

What does the command word 'Outline' mean?

• examine in detail to show meaning, identify elements and the relationship between them

• give precise meaning

• state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features

• Set out the main points

What does the command word 'State' mean?

• give precise meaning

• state the points of a topic / give characteristics and main features

• express in clear terms

• set out the main points