The IB uses a range of command terms in all subjects. Command terms are the key words that are used in the construction of questions and prompts. For example, in the prompt, Discuss the ways the writer builds a persuasive argument in this text, the command term is discuss. Where command terms are used, their meaning is unchanging, and it is very useful to have a clear sense of what each command term means. The reason for this is straightforward: If in an examination you do not understand the question or do not respond to the question you have been asked, you will do much less well than if you directly address the question, showing a clear awareness of command terms. Command terms are relevant to all of the assessment components for English A language and literature. In the Individual Oral, the question/prompt is always the same one. In Paper 1, you are asked to establish a focused response and it is likely that this focus will come from the guiding question that accompanies each text extract. In Paper 2, you are asked to respond to one of four questions, and each question may begin with a different command term. You could say that the Higher Level (HL) Essay has no questions or prompts, and thus command terms are irrelevant. However, this is not really the case. That is, the HL Essay should be inquiry based, and inquiry normally involves establishing a question of your own choosing that, in turn, you aim to respond to.

Below, are the command terms that are most relevant to the study of English A language and literature: