Distinguishing between knowing "what to do" and doing it. An important part of relating the three memory systems of long-term memory with processes underlying motor control is the distinc- tion between knowing "what to do" and being able to successfully perform the action to accomplish that goal. Some learning theorists have argued that the information in the episodic and semantic mem ory systems should be considered declarative knowledge (e.g., Anderson, l This knowledge is specified as what we are able to describe (i.e declare) if we are asked to do so. Thus, declarative knowledge is specific to knowing "what to do" in a situation. This type of knowledge is distinct from procedural knowledge, which typically cannot be verbalized. As described earlier, procedural knowledge enables the person to know "how to do a skill. This distinction is a useful one and will be referred to in various parts of this chapter.