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The Language of Comprehension

1. DESCRIBE -- Give a description; characterize; label; elaborate; identify parts; components; attributes
2. DEFINE -- Give a definition; explain; identify; analyze; understand the meaning of . . .
3. CLASSIFY -- Fit into a classification scheme; note what it is a part of; categorize; identify as a member of a group, subset, etc.
4. PARAPHRASE -- Restate; put into different words; repeat in your own language
5. COMPARE -- Contrast; relate; find similarities or differences; form analogies; examine both sides; discriminate
6. ORGANIZE -- Identify the basic structure; diagram; relate the parts in some orderly way; put the parts together
7. CAN INFLUENCE SOMETHING -- Leads to; can have an effect on; is the cause of; is to produce a change
8. TO BE INFLUENCED BY SOMETHING -- Is to be affected by something, is to note the consequences, is to see forces operating that produce a change
9. CITING EVIDENCE -- Present supporting data for; provide relevant information; offer favorable arguments; give rationale for; rule out contradictory information; demonstrate the logic of a position

by Richard Fenker