IB Command Terms (all disciplines)

Analyze

• To evaluate, judge or consider text or a piece of work.

• Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure. To identify parts and relationships, and to interpret information to reach conclusions.

• Give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation.

• Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.

Annotate

• Obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working.

• Give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation.

• Add brief notes to a diagram or graph.

• Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.

Apply

• Use knowledge and understanding in response to a given situation or real circumstances.

• Give an account of the similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

• Prove or make clear by reasoning or evidence, illustrating with examples or practical application.

• Give a brief account or summary.

Appraise

• Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information.

• Abstract a general theme or major point(s).

• To evaluate, judge or consider text or a piece of work.

• Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion.

Argue

• To evaluate, judge or consider text or a piece of work.

• Use knowledge and understanding in response to a given situation or real circumstances.

• Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

• Challenge or debate an issue or idea with the purpose of persuading or committing someone else to a particular stance or action.

Calculate

• Obtain a numerical answer showing the relevant stages in the working.

• Display information in a diagrammatic or logical form.

• Reach a conclusion from the information given.

• Give steps in a derivation or calculation.

Classify

• Make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items.

• Arrange or order by class or category.

• Represent with an example.

• Represent by means of a diagram or graph (labeled as appropriate). The sketch should give a general idea of the required shape or relationship, and should include relevant features.

Comment

• Give a judgment based on a given statement or result of a calculation.

• Display information in a diagrammatic or logical form.

• Reach a conclusion from the information given.

• Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.

Compare

• Give an account of the similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

• Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.

• Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

• Give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

Compare & Contrast

• Give an account of the similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

• Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process.

• Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

• Give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.