College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Verbs in Writing Assignments
Here are some verbs commonly used in History essay and paper questions. Be sure you know what you are being asked to do. Also, try to use these verbs in your own writing.
Analyze: Take apart and look at each part closely
Compare: Look for similarities & differences; stress similarities
Contrast: Look for similarities & differences; stress differences
Critique: Point out both positive & negative aspects
Define: Explain exactly what something means
Describe: Show what something looks like, including physical features
Discuss: Explore an issue from all sides; implies wide latitude
Evaluate: make a value judgment according to some criteria (which you make clear)
Explain: Clarify or interpret how something works or happens
Illustrate: Show by means of example or educated speculation
Interpret: Translate how or why; implies some subjective judgment
Justify: Argue in support of something, to find positive reasons
List: Order facts, attributes, or items in sequence
Outline: Organize according to hierarchy and/or category
Prove: Demonstrate correctness by use of logic, fact or example
Review: reexamine the main points or highlights of something
State: Assert with confidence
Summarize: Put together the main points; condense
Synthesize: Combine pieces or concepts into new pieces or concept
Trace: Present an outline, or show a sequence, of how or why something occurs or happened