Active Verbs And Their Meanings To Achieve The Best Results In Business Studies

ACTIVE VERBS BTEC LEVEL 3 Business Studies

Mrs Soulla, Private Tutor (Former Lead Verifier for Business, Business Studies Teacher and Head of Entrepreneurship)

When you are completing coursework or an exam question on the BTEC Business Course (and many of the other Business Studies courses whether GCSE or A Level) the command word or active verb in the question is the key to answering the question correctly and gaining as many marks as you can.

The active verbs below relate to the BTEC Level 3 Business Studies course but can be applied to most in terms of their definitions.

Typically for a Pass grade you will have to respond to the following command verbs:

Describe Give a clear descri ption that includes all the relevant features - think of it as painting a picture with words .

Define Clearly explain what a particular term means and give an example, if appropriate, to show what you mean.

Design Create a plan, proposal or outline to illustrate a straightforward concept or idea.

Explain Set out in detail the meaning of something, with reasons. More difficult than describe or list, so it can help to give an example to show what you mean. Start by introducing the topic then give the how or why .

Identify Point out or choose the right one or give a list of the main features.

Illustrate Include examples or a diagram to show what you mean.

Interpret Define or explain the meaning of something.

List Provide the information in a list, rather than in continuous writing.

Outline Write a clear descri ption but not a detailed one.

Plan Work out and plan how you would carry out a task or activity.

State Write a clear and full account.

Summarise Write down or articulate briefly the main points or essential features.

Typically for a Merit grade you will have to respond to the following command words:

Analyse Identify separate factors, say how they are related and how each one contributes to the topic.

Assess Give careful consideration to all the factors or events that apply and

identify which are the most important or relevant.

Compare/Contrast Identify the main factors that apply in two or more situations and explain

the similarities and differences or advantages and disadvantages.

Demonstrate Provide several relevant examples or related evidence which clearly support the arguments you are making. This may include showing practical skills.

Design Create a plan, proposal or outline to illustrate a relatively complex concept or idea.

Explain in detail Provide details and give reasons and/or evidence to clearly support the argument you are making.

Justify How/ Why Give reasons or evidence to support your opinion or view to show how you arrived at these conclusions.

Typically for a Distinction grade you will have to respond to the following command words:

Appraise Consider the positive and negative points and give a reasoned judgement.

Assess Make a judgement on the importance of something similar to evaluate.

Comment critically Give your view after you have considered all the evidence. In particular

decide the importance of all the relevant positive and negative aspects.

Criticise Review a topic or issue objectively and weigh up both positive and negative

points before making a decision.

Draw conclusions Use the evidence you have provided to reach a reasoned judgement.

Evaluate Review the information then bring it together to form a conclusion. Give evidence for each of your views or statements.

Evaluate critically Decide the degree to which a statement is true or the importance or value of something by reviewing the information. Include precise and detailed information and assess possible alternatives, bearing in mind their strengths and weaknesses if they were applied instead.

This resource was uploaded by: Soulla

Other articles by this author

• KS2 English Curriculum
• The Benefits of Reading Out Loud
• Terms and Conditions of Employment
• KS2 Story-Writing Skills and Technique
• Soulla’s Secrets to Success in the 11+ Reasoning Exam
• How to Analyse a Fiction Extract