Appendix
The list below is taken from the University of Worcester’s “Principles for course design: Guide to writing learning outcomes and developing assessment criteria”.
Keep it to hand when you are writing objectives and learning outcomes in English and when you need to be precise about exactly what skills will be assessed in tests and coursework.
Verbs giving evidence of knowing
Define, describe, identify, label, list, name, outline, reproduce, recall, select, state, present, extract, organise, recount, write, measure, relate, match, record.
Verbs giving evidence of comprehension
Interpret, translate, estimate, justify, clarify, defend, distinguish, explain, generalise, exemplify, infer, predict, rewrite, summarise, discuss, perform, report, present, indicate, find, represent, formulate, contrast, classify, express, compare, recognise.
Verbs giving evidence of application of knowledge or understanding
Apply, solve, demonstrate, change, compute, manipulate, use, employ, modify, operate, predict, produce, relate, show, select, choose, assess, operate, illustrate, verify, explicate, prove.
Verbs giving evidence of analysis
Recognise, distinguish between, evaluate, analyse, break down, differentiate, identify, illustrate how, infer, outline, point out, relate, select, separate, divide, compare, contrast, justify, resolve, examine, conclude, criticise, question, diagnose, categorise, elucidate.
Verbs giving evidence of synthesis
Arrange, assemble, organise, plan, prepare, design, formulate, construct, propose, present, explain, modify, reconstruct, relate, re-organise, revise, write, summarise, account for, report, alter, argue, order, select, manage, generalise, derive, synthesise, enlarge, suggest.
Verbs giving evidence of creativity
Plan, imagine, begin, design, invent, initiate, state, create, pattern, elaborate, develop, devise, generate, engender, make, produce.
Verbs giving evidence of evaluation
Judge, appraise, evaluate, assess, discriminate, conclude, compare, contrast, criticise, justify, defend, rate, determine, choose, value, question, rationalise.