SupercharGING YOUR VERBS
Here is an example of a verb continuum
Now watch what happens when the verb is changed in the following thesis statement
Wells IS using this passage to show the dangers of human ignorance and arrogance…
Wells USES this passage to represent the dangers of human ignorance and arrogance…
Wells SHOWS the dangers of human ignorance and arrogance in this passage
Wells REPRESENTS the dangers of human ignorance and arrogance
Wells CHALLENGES our assumption that we are a superior species by illustrating the dangers of human ignorance and arrogance
Notice how the expression of the idea becomes more succinct, precise, and authoritative
Avoiding
‘The writer shows…’,
‘The writer shows…’,
‘The writer shows…’
Some alternatives to ‘shows’:
depicts
conveys
expresses
Need something more subtle?
implies
suggests
Or what if the writer is being very explicit?
|
emphasises illustrates articulates |
voices underlines illuminates proposes |
What about the things the writer does to us?
|
elicits evokes invites engages |
provokes questions challenges |
What about the order in which they do it?
introduces
establishes
maintains
sustains
concludes
What else might the writer do?
reveals
examines
observes
explores
discusses