Bloom's Taxonomy
There are six levels in Bloom’s classification with the lowest level termed knowledge.
The knowledge level is followed by five increasingly difficult levels of mental
abilities: comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. The table below
displays the six levels of Bloom’s taxonomy, definitions of each level and verbs that
would be appropriate to use when you are writing instructional objectives in each level.
Level 1: Knowledge
Objectives written on the knowledge level require the student to recall specific
information. The knowledge level is the lowest cognitive level. Below you will find verbs
appropriate for objectives written at the knowledge level.
define
fill in the blank
identify
label
list
locate
match
memorize
name
recall
spell
state
tell
underline
Level 2: Comprehension
Objectives written on the comprehension level, although a higher level of mental ability
than knowledge objectives, require the lowest level of understanding from the student.
Below you will find verbs appropriate for objectives written at the comprehension level.
convert
describe
explain
interpret
paraphrase
put in order
more..
restate
retell in your words
rewrite
summarize
trace
translate
Level 3: Application
Objectives written on the application level require the learner to apply a rule or
principle. Below you will find verbs appropriate for objectives written at the application
level.
apply
give an example
compute
illustrate
conclude
make
construct
operate
demonstrate
show
determine
solve
draw
state a rule or principle
find out
use
Level 4: Analysis
Objectives written on the analysis level require the student to break an idea into
component parts and describe the relationship. Below you will find verbs appropriate
for objectives written at the analysis level.
analyze
categorize
classify
compare
contrast
debate
deduct
determine the factors
more….
diagnose
diagram
differentiate
dissect
distinguish
examine
infer
specify
Level 5: Synthesis
Objectives written on the synthesis level require the student to put the parts together to
form a new whole. Below you will find verbs appropriate for objectives written at the
synthesis level.
change
combine
compose
construct
create
design
find an unusual way
formulate
generate
invent
originate
plan
predict
pretend
produce
rearrange
reconstruct
reorganize
revise
suggest
suppose
visualize
write
Level 6: Evaluation
Objectives written on the evaluation level require the student to make a judgment about
materials and methods. Below you will find verbs appropriate for objectives written at
the evaluation level.
appraise
choose
compare
conclude
decide
defend
evaluate
give your opinion
judge
justify
prioritize
rank
rate
select
support
value