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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