1. verbs for_analytical_writing_-_betjeman

Great verbs for analytical writing

LO: Can I use appropriate powerful verbs when I write about texts?

Preparing for AQA GCSE English LiteratureMoon on the Tides Poetry Anthology – Character

and VoiceAO1: respond to texts critically and imaginatively, select and evaluate

textual detail to illustrate and support interpretations

AO2: explain how language, structure and form contribute to writers’ presentation of ideas, themes and settings

Which do you use when writing about texts (novels, plays, poems, adverts, films etc.) in English?

AdvisesAffects

Alludes toArguesBuilds

ClarifiesConfirmsConnotes

ConstructsConveysCreates

CriticisesDemonstrates

Denotes

DepictsDescribes

DeterminesDisplays

EncouragesEmphasisesEstablishes

EvokesExaggerates

ExaminesExemplifies

ExpandsExplainsExplores

ExposesForeshadows

Foretells Highlights

HintsIllustratesImpactsImplies

IndicatesInforms

IntroducesJuxtaposesManifestsNarrates

Persuades

PortraysPresentsRefersRelates

RemarksRepresents

RevealsShows

SignifiesSymbolisesSuggestsSupports

TellsTypifies

Powerful verbs for analytical essays

Some verbs are helpful for showing how details (like events, words or symbols) in texts support an idea or interpretation…

“The act of hurling the pearl into the sea

suggests that the beauty of the soul cannot be bought.”

“Her constant use of first-person pronouns like ‘I’

and ‘My’ exposes her self-centred nature.”

Example + Verb + Explanation

Your turn…

“The use of statistics __________ the reader that the writer’s argument is logical.”

“The verb ‘clawed’ __________ a great struggle.”

“The intense disagreement between these characters __________ tension throughout the play.”

“The tide in the image __________ time and eternity.”

suggests persuades builds represents

“The tide in the image represents time and eternity.”

Plural verb?

“Both the moon and the tide in the image__________ time and eternity.”

Can you turn the verb into a noun?

“The tide is perhaps a __________ of time and eternity. ”

Powerful verbs for analytical essays

These verbs can also be helpful for showing how writers convey ideas, messages or intentions…

They can help you talk about the context of a text…

“The lighthouse is an important symbol in the poem.

It represents hope and truth.”

“In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee highlights racial and social injustice in 1930s America.”

Example + Verb + Explanation

Your turn…

“‘The Crucible’ __________ the conflict between individual choice and social expectation.”

“Iago __________ Othello using animal imagery.”

“The movie ‘Fight Club’ __________ American society and __________ it to be breaking down completely.”

“The snake __________ evil, so the author may be suggesting that the setting is sinful and dangerous”

explores portrays criticises describes symbolises

“ ‘The Crucible’ explores the conflict between individual

choice and social expectation.”

Plural verb?

“Both ‘The Crucible’ and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ __________ the conflict between individual choice and social expectation.”

Can you turn the verb into a noun?

“‘Pride and Prejudice’ can be read as an __________ of individual choice versus social expectation.”

Advises

Affects

Alludes to

Argues

Builds

Clarifies

Confirms

Connotes

Constructs

Conveys

Creates

Criticises

Denotes

Depicts

Describes

Determines

Demonstrates

Displays

Encourages

Emphasises

Establishes

Evokes

Exaggerates

Examines

Exemplifies

Expands

Explains

Explores

Exposes

Foreshadows

Foretells

HighlightsHints

IllustratesImpactsImplies

IndicatesInforms

IntroducesJuxtaposesManifestsNarrates

Persuades

PortraysPresentsRefersRelates

RemarksRepresents

RevealsShows

SignifiesSymbolisesSuggestsSupports

TellsTypifies

Note of Caution: Only use the verbs you’re familiar with unless you take the time to examine the definition in the dictionary. This is not a list of synonyms.

Each word has specific uses that are unique to its meaning.

Active verbs for writing about texts...

Task: ‘Portrait of a Deaf Man’ by John Betjeman

1. What kind of images does the poet present us with in the opening stanza?

2. Using the active verbs for analysis (and any poetic terms you can) you will be answering this question:

How does the poet introduce a character in the first stanza?

The kind old face, the egg-shaped head, The tie, discreetly loud, The loosely fitting shooting clothes, A closely fitting shroud.

The kind old face, the egg-shaped head, The tie, discreetly loud, The loosely fitting shooting clothes, A closely fitting shroud.

How does the poet introduce the character in the first stanza?

Explode the quote!

Advises

Affects

Alludes to

Argues

Builds

Clarifies

Confirms

Connotes

Constructs

Conveys

Creates

Criticises

Denotes

Depicts

Describes

Determines

Demonstrates

Displays

Encourages

Emphasises

Evokes

Establishes

Exaggerates

Examines

Exemplifies

Expands

Explains

Explores

Exposes

Foreshadows

Foretells

HighlightsHints

IllustratesImpactsImplies

IndicatesInforms

IntroducesJuxtaposesManifestsNarrates

Persuades

PortraysPresentsRefersRelates

RemarksRepresents

RevealsShows

SignifiesSymbolisesSuggestsSupports

TellsTypifies

Which of these active verbs do you think will be especially useful when writing about poetry?

Active verbs for writing about texts...