Choose the Academic Verb

Worked classroom example

Humanities

Worked example

Compare asks for similarities or differences; explain requires a reasoned link; evaluate weighs evidence against a judgement. The same case study leads to different response shapes.

Teaching sequence

1. Prepare three prompts about one case study: compare, explain and evaluate. Introduce choose the academic verb with one clear success criterion: sort task verbs by the thinking and response they require, then match a short answer outline to each verb.
2. Model one short example from questions using compare, explain and evaluate. Think aloud about the language choice and the subject evidence; invite learners to test the example with a partner.
3. Learners apply the move to a new piece of Humanities content. Use the prompt “What does this command word ask you to do with the content?” to check whether their language matches their evidence.
4. Collect one independent response. Give a new prompt and ask learners to select the response shape without copying a definition. Record one next step and adjust the scaffold to what this response shows.

Try it tomorrow

Sort task verbs by the thinking and response they require, then match a short answer outline to each verb.

Independent check

Give a new prompt and ask learners to select the response shape without copying a definition.

Scaffold built into this activity: More scaffold

Match verb cards to visual response maps and rehearse one opening sentence.

Teacher language

Ask learners to point to the evidence, wording or feature behind their answer. Give thinking time before inviting a revision.

Adjust the support

More support

Match verb cards to visual response maps and rehearse one opening sentence.

Greater independence

Use a compound prompt and ask learners to mark where each command changes the task.

Use the response to choose the next step; the scaffold label describes this activity design, not the learner.