Direction Words

Analyze

• To examine something in detail in order to understand it

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

• To make something more clear or visible

• Compare means to note the similarities and/or dissimilarities between things. Contrast means to only note the dissimilarities between things

Explain

• To examine something in detail in order to understand it

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

• To make something more clear or visible

• Compare means to note the similarities and/or dissimilarities between things. Contrast means to only note the dissimilarities between things

Illustrate

• To examine something in detail in order to understand it

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

• To make something more clear or visible

• Compare means to note the similarities and/or dissimilarities between things. Contrast means to only note the dissimilarities between things

Compare/Contrast

• To examine something in detail in order to understand it

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

• To make something more clear or visible

• Compare means to note the similarities and/or dissimilarities between things. Contrast means to only note the dissimilarities between things

Interpret

• To point out; to show

• To show; to explain something in clear terms

• To briefly share the main points of something

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

Summarize

• To point out; to show

• To show; to explain something in clear terms

• To briefly share the main points of something

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

Demonstrate

• To point out; to show

• To show; to explain something in clear terms

• To briefly share the main points of something

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

Indicate

• To point out; to show

• To show; to explain something in clear terms

• To briefly share the main points of something

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

Infer

• To figure something out by using evidence and reasoning; “reading between the lines”

• To note details about something

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

• To give the meaning (definition) of something

Describe

• To figure something out by using evidence and reasoning; “reading between the lines”

• To note details about something

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

• To give the meaning (definition) of something