Common Command Terms for APES

• Analyze: Interpret data or statements made based on evidence to reach a conclusion

• Calculate: To determine or solve by mathematical processes

• Compare: Point out similarities, to examine 2 (or more) objects or ideas and consider the
likenesses, including but not limited to structures, functions, organisms, events, ideas, theories;
referring to both (or all) of them throughout; often, compare requires that you also contrast

• Connect: Find a relationship between two or more pieces of information

• Construct: Represent or develop, usually in graphical form

• Contrast: Point out differences, to examine 2 (or more) objects or ideas and consider the
differences between (including, but not limited to) two or more structures, functions, organisms, events,
ideas, theories; referring to both (or all) of them throughout

• Create (a representation): Build or devise a representation of a concept; this may be an

experimental design, a model, a graph, etc.

• Define: Give a meaning for a word or phrase

• Describe: To give an account of in words, give the characteristics of something, outline a process

• Design: Produce a plan, simulation, or model

• Differentiate : Point out differences, to examine 2 or more objects and consider the differences
between (including, but not limited to) two or more structures, functions, organisms, events, ideas,
theories

• Discuss: To consider from the various points of view an issue, parts of an event, parts of a process,
theory or technique; include components of both “describe” and “explain”

• Effect (describe the effect or predict the effect): Give both positive and negative effects (to
“disrupt” or “change” can be multidirectional...up & down, positive and negative)

• Evaluate: Judge; detail the positives and negatives, assess the implications and limitations

• Explain: Tell how to do, tell the meaning of, give reasons for; support or qualify a given claim using
details, examples, data

• Identify : Name, list, give an example or frame of reference

• Interpret: Analyze critically or explain something that is not clear or obvious or absolute

• Justify: To link evidence to a claim; demonstrate or support the strength of a statement, explain the
reasons for events turning out as they did, or speculate on what might be the effect of certain causes or
the causes of certain effects

• Predict: To give an expected result of an upcoming action or event based on knowledge or

observations, scientific reason or experience

• Refine: Clarify assertions or models using information and evidence

• Summarize: Tell the main idea; the beginning, the middle, and the end

• Support: Back up your response with details, examples, data

• Use: Apply an idea, equation, principle, theory, or law to a given situation; use data and
information to construct explanations and provide evidence
Modified by Jody Saxton West; based on work by Mark Little, Cherylann Hollinger, Larry Bell, Tricia Glidewell, Bobbi Hinson,
Jeremy Conn