Command words

Give a clear, straightforward description that includes all main points and link these together logically

• Describe

• Identify

• Explain

• Define

Distinguish and state the main features or basics facts relating to a topic

• Describe

• Justify

• Identify

• Compare and contrast

Give appropriate reasons to support your opinion or views and show how you arrived at these conclusions

• Explain

• Outline

• Evaluate

• Justify

Review the information and then bring it together to form a conclusion. Give evidence to support each of your views or statements

• Evaluate

• Analyse

• Compare and contrast

• Outline

Write a clear description that includes all the main points but avoid going into too much detail

• Evaluate

• Analyse

• Outline

• Explain

Identify the main factors that apply in 2 or more situations and explain the similarities and differences or advantages and disadvantages

• Outline

• Describe

• Compare and contrast

• Evaluate

Provide details and give reasons and/or evidence (sporting examples) to clearly support argument you are making

• Analyse

• Explain

• Identify

• Evaluate

Clearly explain what a particular term means and give an example, if appropriate, to show what you mean

• Define

• Analyse

• Compare and contrast

• Outline

Identify the key factors, show how they are linked, and explain the importance, impact and relevance of each

• Explain

• Describe

• Outline

• Analyse