1. Analyze
To study something closely and carefully. To learn the nature and relationship of the parts of something by a close and careful examination.
Example: Explain how each part functions or fits into the whole. Write the obvious as well as the hidden characteristics or meanings. Pretend you are a detective and break the material into parts.

2. Persuade
To cause someone to do something by asking, arguing, or giving reasons. To cause someone to believe something. To plead with, urge.
Example: Give a point of view. Take a stand and defend one side of an issue. Give facts, statistics, beliefs, opinions, and your personal view. Show passion when you are defending your side.

3. Compare
To look at two or more things closely in order to see what is similar or different about them or in order to decide which one is better. To examine the character or qualities in order to discover resemblances or differences.
Example: Provides common characteristics, identifying how things are alike or similar. Analyzing the differences and similarities to gain a greater understanding of the material.

4. Contrast
To be different especially in a way that is very obvious. To compare two people or things to show how they are different.
Example: Provides the characteristics that are not alike. How are people, events, or objects different?

5. Summarize
To tell information again using fewer words giving the most important information about something.
Example: Sum it up! Give the meaning in a concise way using as few words as possible. Requires you to synthesize and restate key points from text in a sentence or short paragraph. Retell the most important facts.

6. Demonstrate
To prove or make something clear by reasoning or evidence through examples. To illustrate and explain with many examples. To show a quality, feeling, etc. clearly to other people.
Example: You must provide a step by step procedure to show how to do something. Explain how to do or make something.

7. Describe
To tell someone about the appearance, sound, smell, events, etc., of something or someone. To say what something or someone is like. To represent something by a figure, model, or picture.
Example: Present a clear picture of a person, place, thing or idea. You should be able to visualize a picture or movie in your mind from the material given.

8. Explain
To make something clear or easy to understand. To tell, show, or be the reason for or cause of something. To show the logical development or relationships of something.
Example: Give clear descriptions of an event, object, or idea. Think about the 5 W’s (Who, What, When, Where, Why) and H (How).

9. Interpret
To explain the meaning of something. To present in terms that are understandable. To understand something in a specified way. To perform something in a way that shows your own thoughts and feelings about it.
Example: Write your understanding of the topic in your own words. Start by asking yourself, “What does the ___ mean?” Give a view from your own experiences and the information you find.

10. Infer
To form an opinion from evidence. To reach a conclusion based on known facts. To hint or suggest something.
Example: Read between the lines, because the answer is not right in front of you. Derive meaning from information or clues that are provided. It is an educated guess like a hypothesis.