Justify Where do you find it? Everywhere that matters What does it mean? to show to be just or right, defend as warranted Spanish cognate: justificar Give us a sentence! The character’s choices were hard to justify when he killed his friend. Any similar words? defend, support, explain

Contrast Where do you find it: in things that are different What does it mean?: to compare in order to show a difference Spanish cognate: contraste Give us a sentence!: The hero is good in contrast to the antihero; he thinks he is good, but is not. Any similar words? distinction, foil, variation

Infer Where do you find it: Everywhere if you think about it What does it mean?: to conclude or judge by evidence, to derive by reasoning Spanish cognate: inferir Give us a sentence!: By your tone, I can infer that you don’t want to go to the movies. Any similar words? presume, deduce, arrive

Predict Where do you find it: everywhere What does it mean?: to declare or tell in advance, prophesy Spanish cognate: predecir Give us a sentence!: Characterizing the hero can help you predict his or her response to different situations. Any similar words? foresee, anticipate, conclude

Distinguish Where do you find it: Everywhere What does it mean?: to recognize as different Spanish cognate: distinguir Give us a sentence!: It is often hard to distinguish between the hero and antihero because they both think they are doing good deeds. Any similar words? analyze, characterize, categorize

Compare Where do you find it: Everywhere What does it mean?: examine two or more objects to note similarities and differences Spanish cognate: comparar Give us a sentence!: Comparing prices while shopping is something that intelligent consumers do. Any similar words? differentiate, classify, consider

Criticize Where do you find it: Everywhere What does it mean?: judge or discuss the merits and faults of something Spanish cognate: criticar Give us a sentence!: The priest criticized Romeo’s plan to marry Juliet by pointing out the merits and faults of that action. Any similar words? evaluate, blame, advise

Theorize Where do you find it: Everywhere What does it mean?: to form a theory or an opinion, speculate Spanish cognate: teorizar Give us a sentence!: The senior exit research paper requires students to theorize about their topics. Any similar words? differentiate, classify, consider

Analyze Where do you find it: Everywhere What does it mean?: examine critically in order to focus on the parts or elements Spanish cognate: analizar Give us a sentence!: After reading the argument, we analyzed the strength of each reason used to support it. Any similar words? judge, estimate, examine

Explain Where do you find it: everywhere What does it mean?: make clear the cause or reason for something Spanish cognate: explicar Give us a sentence!: The mood of a passage can only be explained by words or phrases that affect the reader. Any similar words? annotate, interpret, rationalize