Verb Cheat Sheet
Appropriate Verbs to Use in Overall Clerkship Goals understand review know expand learn appreciate recognize be aware of
Appropriate Verbs to Use in Lecture Objectives Performance Verbs Based on the Six Facets of Understanding Adapted from “Understanding by Design” Explanation explain demonstrate derive describe design exhibit express induce instruct justify model predict show synthesize teach Perspective analyze argue compare contrast criticize infer Interpretation interpret create analogies critique document evaluate illustrate judge make meaning of make sense of provide metaphors represent tell a story of translate diagnose Application apply adapt build create de-bug decide design exhibit invent perform produce propose solve test use Self-knowledge be aware of realize recognize reflect self-assess
Empathy assume role of be like be open to consider imagine relate role-play
Action Verbs Adapted from Bloom’s Taxonomy Knowledge/Information: The recall of specific items. Knowledge of terminology; specific facts; conventions, trends and sequences, classifications and categories, criteria, methodology; universals and abstractions in a field (principles and generalizations, theories and structures). Knowledge (here) is defined as the remembering (recalling) of appropriate, previously learned information. Comprehension: (Understanding) Grasping the meaning of informational materials. Can recall, but can do a little more, eg paraphrase, discuss to some extent. Application: (Using) The use of previously learned information in new and concrete situations to solve problems. Can take information of an abstract nature and use it in concrete situations.
Knowledge recall list define tell identify label collect tabulate quote name cite count match state
Comprehension summarize describe interpret contrast predict associate distinguish estimate differentiate discuss extend extrapolate restate explain
Application apply demonstrate calculate complete illustrate show solve examine modify relate change classify experiment discover invent
Action Verbs Adapted from Bloom’s Taxonomy Analysis: (Taking Apart) Breaking down informational materials into their component parts, examining (and trying to understand the organizational structure of) such information to develop divergent conclusions by identifying motives or causes, making inferences, and/or finding evidence to support generalizations. Synthesis: (Putting Together) Applying prior knowledge and skills to produce a new or original whole. Can pull together many disorganized elements or parts so as to form a whole. Evaluation: (Judging) Judging the value of material...resulting in an end product, with a given purpose.
Analysis analyze separate order connect criticize arrange infer distinguish debate question prioritize inspect compare
Synthesis combine integrate modify rearrange substitute plan assemble formulate prepare generalize compile incorporate formulate
Evaluation assess decide rank grade test measure recommend convince select judge discriminate support conclude