Action Verb List – Suggested Verbs to Use in Each Level of Thinking Skills

Below are terms (verbs) that can be used when creating student learning outcomes for a course or degree program.

Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation
Count
Define
Describe
Draw
Identify
Labels
List
Match
Name
Outlines
Point
Quote
Read
Recall
Recite
Recognize
Record
Repeat
Reproduces
Selects
State
Write
Associate
Compute
Convert
Defend
Discuss
Distinguish
Estimate
Explain
Extend
Extrapolate
Generalize
Give examples
Infer
Paraphrase
Predict
Rewrite
Summarize
Add
Apply
Calculate
Change
Classify
Complete
Compute
Demonstrate
Discover
Divide
Examine
Graph
Interpolate
Manipulate
Modify
Operate
Prepare
Produce
Show
Solve
Subtract
Translate
Use
Analyze
Arrange
Breakdown
Combine
Design
Detect
Develop
Diagram
Differentiate
Discriminate
Illustrate
Infer
Outline
Point out
Relate
Select
Separate
Subdivide
Utilize
Categorize
Combine
Compile
Compose
Create
Drive
Design
Devise
Explain
Generate
Group
Integrate
Modify
Order
Organize
Plan
Prescribe
Propose
Rearrange
Reconstruct
Related
Reorganize
Revise
Rewrite
Summarize
Transform
Specify
Appraise
Assess
Compare
Conclude
Contrast
Criticize
Critique
Determine
Grade
Interpret
Judge
Justify
Measure
Rank
Rate
Support
Test

Source/Reference: These steps were derived from information collected at various conferences by Dr. Cia Verschelden, the original source is unknown. This information was original posted on the Office of Assessment web site ( www.k-state.edu/assessment ) in the summer of 2003.