Bloom's Taxonomy of the Cognitive Domain

The following information is Adapted from: Bloom, Benjamin S. Editor. Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification of Educational Goals: Handbook I, Cognitive Domain. New York: Longmans, Green, 1956.

Bloom's classification of levels of cognition have many practical applications for writing, literature, and humanities teachers. The following table describes a group project assignment and instructional goals of the assignment, using Bloom's behavioral terms. The first column lists the types of learning that students can be expected to develop, based upon the types of verbs used in the assignment.

LEVEL DEFINITION SAMPLE VERBS SAMPLE BEHAVIORS
Knowledge Student recalls or recognizes information, ideas, and principles in the approximate form in which they were learned.
  • Write
  • List
  • Label
  • Name
  • State
  • Define
    		•  The student will be able to describe the purpose of the group's assignment and research study.
    Comprehension Student translates, comprehends, or interprets information based on prior learning.
  • Explain
  • Summarize
  • Paraphrase
  • Describe
  • Illustrate
    		•  The student will explain the purpose of the group activity.
    Application Student selects, transfers, and uses data and principles to complete a problem or task with a minimum of direction.
  • Use
  • Compute
  • Solve
  • Demonstrate
  • Apply
  • Construct
    		•  The student will write a goal for the group's classroom demonstration.
    Analysis Student distinguishes, classifies, and relates the assumptions, hypotheses, evidence, or structure of a statement or question.
  • Analyze
  • Categorize
  • Compare
  • Contrast
  • Separate
    		•  The student will present the findings of the group's research and draw logical conclusions about those findings.
    Synthesis Student originates, integrates, and combines ideas into a product, plan or proposal that is new to him or her.
  • Create
  • Design
  • Hypothesize
  • Invent
  • Develop
    		•  The student will present a proposal based upon the group's research.
    Evaluation Student appraises, assesses, or critiques on a basis of specific standards and criteria.
  • Judge
  • Recommend
  • Critique
  • Justify
    		•  The student in the audience will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of the group's proposal and recommend acceptance of the proposal or further study.