1. Command Verbs
What to do when you see these words …
Pass:
1. Design, Plan
How would you do something?
2. Describe, Illustrate, State
What do you mean? What is it?
Use words, diagrams and/or examples to say what something is.
3. List, Outline, Summarise, Identify
Very briefly tell us about it. (Sometimes this can be just a bullet-pointed list)
Merit:
1. Compare & Contrast
What similarities are there?
What differences are there?
(They also might want you to say the advantages and disadvantages)
2. Justify
Show how you reached your conclusions by giving information that supports your point of
view. E.g.:
• Reasons
• Evidence
3. Explain, Define, Interpret
Why is it this way?
Use words (in greater depth) to show that you understand a particular topic.
How does it work? Why?
4. Demonstrate
Provide information that clearly supports the arguments you are making. E.g.:
• Relevant examples
• Related evidence
SpLD Department CPD Session – Staff Conference 2009

2. Distinction:
1. Analyse/Assess
This is like taking a jigsaw apart and then putting it back together again:
a. Separate the topic out into different factors
b. Explain each factor
c. How are they related to each other?
d. How does each one contribute to the topic?
2. Evaluate
Look at the information and come to a conclusion. Split your conclusion into parts and give
evidence for each of your views or statements.
3. Criticise/Comment Critically/Evaluate Critically/Appraise
Review a topic/issue objectively and weigh up both the plus and minus points.
Assess possible alternatives.
Decide the importance of all positive and negative aspects.
Then give your view.
4. Draw conclusions
Look at the evidence you have and discuss your findings.
Using the evidence come to a conclusion and state why you have come to that conclusion.
Make recommendations if asked for them.
SpLD Department CPD Session – Staff Conference 2009