The Language of Literary Analysis
The Language of Literary Analysis
generously provided by former Consol AP English IV teacher Liz Davis
VERBS
These verbs will be especially effective when the subject is the author or a character. They are excellent replacements for "be" verbs and instrumental in the formulation of thesis and theme statements. Careful use of these verbs can result in precise identification of an author's purpose. Follow your teacher's directions to categorize the verbs as transitive, intransitive, positive, negative, or neutral.
VERBS FOR LITERARY ANALYSIS
accentuates
accepts
affects
alleviates
analyzes
approaches
assumes
attacks
bases
believes
chooses
chronicles
compels*
completes
conducts
conforms
contests*
contrasts
defines
defies
delineates*
despises
deviates*
differentiates*
discovers
discusses
distinguishes
distorts*
elicits*
emphasizes
enumerates*
envisions
experiences
explains
fantasizes
focuses
generalizes*
guides
holds
honors
imagines
impels*
infers*
inspires
inundates*
justifies
lampoons*
lists
manipulates
minimizes
observes
opposes
patronizes*
performs
ponders*
portrays
presumes
produces
provides
qualifies*
recalls
recites
reflects
refers
represents
results
seems
sees
states
strives*
supports
suppresses*
understands
vacillates*
achieves allows argues attempts challenges claims concerns confronts* contributes demonstrates details differs displays downplays encounters evokes expresses forces heightens identifies implies* intends juxtaposes* maintains moralizes* organizes permits postulates* projects questions recollects regards reveals selects suggests symbolizes values
adopts alludes* ascertains* attributes* changes comments concludes considers conveys depicts* determines directs disputes dramatizes enhances excludes extends foreshadows highlights illustrates includes interprets lambasts" makes muses* overstates personifies* prepares promotes rationalizes records regrets ridicules specifies summarizes sympathizes verifies*
advocates* alters* assesses* avoids characterizes compares condescends contends* convinces describes develops disappoints disrupts* elevates enriches expands extrapolates* functions hints illuminates indicates interrupts laments* manages notes outlines persuades presents proposes reasons recounts rejects satirizes* speculates* supplies traces
VERBS TO USE INSTEAD OF EXEMPLIFIES
appears
asserts
attests to
connotes*
corroborates*
defines
depicts
discloses*
elucidates*
evinces*
exhibits
expounds*
manifests*
points to
proves
shows
substantiates*
suggests
validates*
certifies demonstrates endorses* exposes ratifies* typifies*
confirms denotes* establishes intimates* relates upholds
ADJECTIVES FOR USE IN LITERARY/RHETORICAL DISCUSSION
DESCRIBING THE AUTHOR
cultured
intellectual
sensible
rational
perceptive
visionary*
idealistic*
spiritual
sophisticated*
original
liberal*
progressive*
realistic*
romantic*
opinionated*
intolerant
narrow-minded*
sentimental
erudite* philosophic* prophetic* orthodox* whimsical* radical* shallow hypocritical* skeptical*
well-read analytical optimistic unorthodox* humorous reactionary* superficial fanatical* cynical*
DESCRIBING STYLE/CONTENT
lucid*
graphic*
exact
concise*
piquant*
aphoristic*
poetic
prosaic*
pure
vigorous*
fluent
glib*
polished*
classical
rhetorical*
turgid*
vague
diffuse*
ungraceful
harsh
unpolished
crude*
utilitarian*
humanistic*
subjective*
melodramatic*
credible*
recondite*
absurd
trivial
intelligible* succinct* syllogistic* plain forceful natural artistic pompous* verbose* abrupt* vulgar* pragmatic* fanciful* controversial commonplace
explicit* condensed* allusive* simple eloquent* restrained* bombastic* grandiose* pedantic* labored* formal naturalistic* authentic* mystical* heretical*
DESCRIBING DICTION
high or formal
low or informal
concrete
abstract*
esoteric*
learned
connotative*
symbolic
provincial*
colloquial*
inexact
euphemistic*
bombastic*
grotesque
obtuse*
moralistic*
proper
pretentious*
neutral plain cultured picturesque* slang* trite* vulgar* ordinary old-fashioned
precise simple literal* sensuous* idiomatic* obscure* jargon* scholarly
DESCRIBING SYNTAX
loose*
periodic*
compound*
complex*
imperative*
exclamatory*
euphonic*
rhythmical
rambling
tortuous
spare
austere*
obfuscating*
journalistic*
musical
lilting*
thudding
dry
erudite*
grating*
balanced* compound-complex* telegraphic* epigrammatic* jerky unadorned* terse* lyrical* ornate* staccato*
interrupted declarative* antithetic* emphatic cacophonic* jumbled laconic* elegant elaborate abrupt*
DESCRIBING ORGANIZATION/STRUCTURE/POINT OF VIEW
spatial*
chronological
flashback
flash forward*
step-by-step
objective*
subjective*
nostalgic*
contemplative*
reflective*
clinical*
impersonal*
omniscient*
limited*
sagacious* imaginative broad-minded* sympathetic conservative* unprejudiced bigoted provincial*
precise pithy* metaphorical homespun* sonorous* smooth extravagant obscure* ponderous* awkward artificial impressionistic* plausible* improbable*
exact homespun figurative* literary neologistic* pedantic* emotional insipid*
simple* interrogative* inverted* incoherent monotonous chaotic mellifluous* solid flowery sprawling
in media res* reminiscent dramatic*
DESCRIBING IMAGERY ( Substitute these precise adjectives for less precise ones such as vivid, colorful, and
powerful.)
bucolic*
pastoral*
gustatory*
olfactory*
tactile*
kinetic*
kinesthetic*
sensual*
sacred
chaotic
auditory*
religious
animal
war/military
of death, decay, decomposition
DESCRIBING CHARACTERS (Great substitutions for pretty and ugly!)
Physical Qualities
manly
virile*
robust*
hardy*
strapping*
stalwart*
muscular
brawny*
fair
comely*
handsome
dainty
graceful
elegant
shapely
attractive
ravishing*
dapper*
immaculate
adroit*
adept*
skillful
agile*
nimble*
lively
spirited*
vivacious*
weak
sickly
frail
decrepit*
emaciated*
effeminate*
unwomanly
hideous
homely*
unkempt*
slovenly*
awkward
clumsy
graceless
bizarre*
grotesque
incongruous*
repellent*
repugnant*
repulsive
odious*
loathsome*
sturdy lovely delicate winsome* dexterous* active feeble* cadaverous* course* ungainly* ghastly invidious*
Mental Qualities (Great substitutions for smart and stupid! Which comments would you like to see on your papers?)
educated
erudite*
scholarly
wise
astute*
intellectual
precocious*
capable
competent
gifted
apt*
rational
reasonable
sensible
shrewd*
prudent*
observant
clever
ingenious*
inventive
subtle*
cunning*
crafty*
wily*
unintelligent
unschooled*
unlettered*
ignorant
illiterate*
inane*
irrational
puerile*
foolish
fatuous*
vacuous*
simple
thick-skulled*
idiotic
imbecilic*
witless*
deranged*
demented*
articulate*
eloquent*
Moral Qualities (Great substitutions for good and bad!)
idealistic*
innocent
virtuous*
guileless*
upright*
exemplary
undefiled*
temperate*
abstentious*
puritanical*
truthful
honorable
decent
respectable
wicked
notorious*
vicious
incorrigible*
immoral*
unprincipled*
reprobate*
ribald*
vulgar*
intemperate*
deceitful
dishonest
unscrupulous*
vile*
foul*
recalcitrant*
faultless chaste* austere* trustworthy corrupt* dissembling* depraved* sensual* dishonorable* philandering*
righteous* pure ascetic* straightforward* degenerate* infamous* indecent* dissolute* base* opportunistic*
Spiritual Qualities (More great substitutions for good and bad!)
religious
reverent
pious*
regenerate*
holy
saintly
agnostic*
atheistic*
irreligious*
profane*
sacrilegious*
materialistic
diabolic*
fiendlike*
blasphemous*
charitable
devout* angelic impious* carnal* unregenerate*
faithful skeptical* irreverent* godless altruistic*
Social Qualities (Terrific substitutions for nice and mean!)
civil*
amicable*
contentious*
tactful*
courteous
cooperative
hospitable*
gracious*
amiable*
unpolished* genial* cordial*
sullen* affable* congenial*
convivial* anti-social* discourteous ill-mannered brusque* grumpy waspish*
VERBS
attack challenge validate answer assert
NOUNS
warrant solution vested interest logos* induction* audience rebuttal* refutation invective* qualifier*
jovial* acrimonious* impudent* unrefined churlish* fractious* taciturn*
jolly quarrelsome impolite rustic* fawning* crusty* reticent*
urbane* antagonistic* insolent* provincial* obsequious* peevish* gregarious*
suave* misanthropic* ill-bred boorish* sniveling* petulant* garrulous*
THE LANGUAGE OF ARGUMENT
charge qualify confirm agree/disagree generalize
claim counter affirm* verify specify
propose repudiate* argue resolve debate
defend allege* assume concede* dispute
validity resolution conflict of interests counterargument fallacy* purpose antithesis* slippery slope* proponent* begging the question*
plausibility* bias enthymeme* premise* ad hominem message non sequitur* anecdote* assertion justification
practicality credibility pathos* syllogism* exigence* precedent* circular reasoning* advocacy* adherent * cause/effect
proposal accountability ethos* deduction* speaker testimonial* bandwagon* rhetoric* red herring*
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