Bloom's Taxonomy Action Verbs

A Guide for Writing Higher Education Learning Outcomes

6
CREATE
Produce new or original work by combining elements in a coherent or functional way
Design
Develop
Construct
Produce
Invent
Compose
Generate
Plan
Formulate
Synthesize
Devise
Originate
5
EVALUATE
Make judgments about the value of ideas or materials based on criteria and standards
Assess
Critique
Judge
Justify
Appraise
Evaluate
Defend
Validate
Argue
Prioritize
Rate
Recommend
4
ANALYZE
Break down information into parts to explore understandings and relationships
Analyze
Compare
Contrast
Examine
Investigate
Categorize
Differentiate
Distinguish
Organize
Deconstruct
Correlate
Interpret
3
APPLY
Use information and knowledge in new situations to solve problems
Apply
Execute
Implement
Demonstrate
Solve
Use
Operate
Calculate
Modify
Employ
Practice
Illustrate
2
UNDERSTAND
Explain ideas or concepts and demonstrate comprehension through interpretation
Explain
Describe
Interpret
Summarize
Paraphrase
Classify
Translate
Discuss
Predict
Recognize
Infer
Estimate
1
REMEMBER
Recall facts, basic concepts, and retrieve knowledge from memory
Remember
Recall
Identify
List
Define
State
Name
Label
Match
Recognize
Memorize
Repeat

Using This Guide

Select action verbs that match your intended learning level. Higher levels build upon lower levels, creating a comprehensive learning experience.

Best Practices

Use specific, measurable verbs. Align verbs with your assessment methods. Progress from lower to higher cognitive levels throughout your course.

Assessment Alignment

Remember and Understand: Quizzes, tests. Apply and Analyze: Projects, case studies. Evaluate and Create: Research papers, presentations.

Based on Bloom's Taxonomy (Revised) • Educational Resource for Higher Education

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