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History

Command Terms

&

Historical

Processes

(Link to handout)

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Command Terms

14 words or catchphrases IB puts into their History questions

And in many other subject’s questions, too (Science, English, Psych, Geography, etc.)

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Historical Processes

3 big ideas about how history happens

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Why Understand Command Terms?

DP/IB History Test

  • Need to understand words IB uses in order to understand what each question is asking you to say

College Bound

  • Same types of words used on college tests - ACT, for example
  • FACT! The more words you understand the better you do on college entrance tests

Real Life

  • These words are things you do in your daily life, without even realizing it

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Command Term Practice

- You will be doing this at the end

Practice Choice 1

Write three (3) questions/prompts* that use at least one command term in each question/prompt.

*Question: Asks you to do something.

*Prompt: Tell you to do something.

Examples

Question: To what extent was Japanese expansion in Asia justified?

Prompt: Analyze the causes of Japanese aggression between 1931-37.

Practice Choice 2

Write definitions for three (3) of the command terms in your own words so that people your own age can better understand the meanings

Share your practice questions/prompts/definitions here for your classmates to see and comment on

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Command Terms

Analyze

Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure.

Define

Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity.

The meaning of life is...

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Command Terms

Compare

Give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

Sweet/sugary

Dessert

Baked

Made in a kitchen

Round

Cut with a knife

Go well with iced cream

Contrast

Give an account of the differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

Pie

Tastes better

More wholesome

Sign of community

“As American as apple pie”

Cake

Frosting too sweet

Too dry

Sign of selfishness

Birthday cake, retirement cake, etc.

Compare & Contrast

Give an account of similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout.

Sweet/sugary

Dessert

Baked

Made in a kitchen

Round

Pie

Tastes better

More wholesome

Sign of community

“As American as apple pie”

Cake

Frosting too sweet

Too dry

Sign of selfishness

Birthday cake, retirement cake, etc.

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Command Terms

Describe

Give a detailed account.

  • Red
  • Tasty
  • Triangular
  • Cut at approximately 60 degree angle
  • Think crumbly crust
  • Baked
  • Approximately 2 inches deep
  • Much better than cake

Discuss

Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

Pie is a far superior desert due to its feeling of community...

I disagree. While pie can be tasty, it is far inferior to cake...

While overall, pie is better, cake frosting is better than crust...

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Command Terms

Distinguish

Make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items.

Evaluate/Assess

Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations.

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Command Terms

Examine

Consider an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships of the issue.

Explain

Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.

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Command Terms

Identify

Provide an answer from a number of possibilities.

Justify

Give valid reasons or evidence to support an answer or conclusion.

The fascist flag?

Based on the evidence we have seen, the human is guilty because..

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Command Terms

To what extent

How much is one opinion better than another opinion and why? Opinions and conclusions should be presented clearly and supported with appropriate evidence and sound argument.

To no extent...

To some extent...

To a great extent...

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Historical Processes

- It is great to mention these things in the introduction and conclusion of essays

Historical Context

Refers to the moods, attitudes, and conditions that existed in a certain time. Context is the "setting" for an event that occurs

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Historical Processes

- It is great to mention these things in the introduction and conclusion of essays

Cause & Effect

How one event or choice leads to the occurrence of another event or choice

Son of a….!!!

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Historical Processes

- It is great to mention these things in the introduction and conclusion of essays

Continuity & Change

The way things change and the way things stay the same throughout time

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Command Term Practice

Practice Choice 1

Write three (3) questions/prompts* that use at least one command term in each question/prompt.

*Question: Asks you to do something.

*Prompt: Tell you to do something.

Examples

Question: To what extent was Japanese expansion in Asia justified?

Prompt: Analyze the causes of Japanese aggression between 1931-37.

Practice Choice 2

Write definitions for three (3) of the command terms in your own words so that people your own age can better understand the meanings

Share your practice questions/prompts/definitions here for your classmates to see and comment on