Summarising, rather than analysing, is one of the chief pitfalls of Leaving Certificate students. Overused signal verbs such as says and relates, fail to inject the kind of interpretive power that other, purposefully selected verbs can. Let verbs carry the tone of your message; leave out the amateurish adjectives and adverbs.
Here are some alternative signal verbs to consider:
- suggests
- hints
- intimates
- implies
- questions
- sheds light
- clarifies
- masks
- notes
- observes
- asserts
- concedes
- qualifies
- affirms
- criticises
- admonishes
- challenges
- debates
- berates
- trivialises
- denigrates
- vilifies
- demonises
- disparages
- ridicules
- mocks
- points out
- acknowledges
- minimises
- dismisses
- demonstrates
- underscores
- flatters
- praises
- exaggerates
- exposes
- articulates
- explores
- establishes
- evokes
- induces
Here are some verbs to describe the structure of a text:
- opens
- begins
- adds
- connects
- juxtaposes
- draws a parallel between
- foreshadows
- uses an analogy
- turns to
- shifts to
- transitions to
- concludes
- finishes
- closes
- ends
And now some verbs to describe various rhetorical modes:
- compares
- contrasts
- classifies
- defines
- narrates
- describes
- argues
- persuades
- explains
- defines
- exemplifies
- illustrates
- summarises
6A1 Competition Time!
Post a comment below using any of the above verbs (correctly!) and relating to any aspect of our LC course and there will be a prize for you on Monday 9th January 2012.