Writing Objectives: Key Verbs
Cognitive (Thinking) Domain
The following key verbs will help to write good objectives and also establish a relative "taxonomic level" for each objective.
Note: Some verbs may be applicable within more than one category: for example, depending on the situation, "calculate" may fit under application or analysis.
| Knowledge | Comprehension |
|---|---|
| Cite Choose Define Label List Locate Match Name Recall Recognize Record Repeat Select State Write | Arrange Associate Clarify Classify Convert Describe Diagram Draw Discuss Estimate Explain Express Identify Locate Outline Paraphrase Report Restate Review Sort Summarize Transfer Translate |
| Application | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Adapt Apply Catalogue Chart Compute Consolidate Demonstrate Develop Employ Extend Extrapolate Generalize Illustrate Infer Interpolate Interpret Manipulate Modify Order Predict Prepare Produce Relate Sketch Submit Tabulate Transcribe Use Utilize | Analyze Appraise Audit Break down Calculate Categorize Certify Compare Contrast Correlate Criticize Deduce Defend Detect Diagram Differentiate Discriminate Distinguish Examine Infer Inspect Investigate Question Reason Separate Solve Survey Test Uncover Verify |
| Synthesis | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Arrange Assemble Build Combine Compile Compose Conceive Construct Create Design Devise Discover Draft Formulate Generate Integrate Make Manage Organize Plan Predict Prepare Propose Reorder Reorganize Set up Structure Synthesize | Appraise Approve Assess Choose Conclude Confirm Criticize Critique Diagnose Evaluate Judge Justify Prioritize Prove Rank Rate Recommend Research Resolve Revise Rule on Select Support Validate |