List of Verbs and Their Associated Characterizations and Adjectives, Schemes and Mind Maps of Literary Analysis

Download List of Verbs and Their Associated Characterizations and Adjectives and more Schemes and Mind Maps Literary Analysis in PDF only on Docsity! Verbs These verbs will be especially effective WHEN THE SUBJECT IS 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 CHARACTERIZATION. Follow your teacher’s directions to categorize the verbs as POSITIVE, NEGATIVE, or NEUTRAL. Verbs for Literary Analysis accentuates accepts achieves adopts advocates affects alleviates allows alludes alters analyzes approaches argues ascertains assesses assumes attacks attempts attributes avoids bases believes challenges changes characterizes chooses chronicles claims comments compares compels completes concerns concludes condescends conducts conforms confronts considers contends contests contrasts contributes conveys convinces defines defies demonstrates depicts disappoints discovers discusses displays disputes disrupts distinguishes distorts downplays dramatizes elevates elicits emphasizes encounters enhances enriches enumerates envisions evokes excludes expands experiences explains expresses extends extrapolates fantasizes focuses forces foreshadows functions generalizes guides heightens highlights hints holds honors identifies illustrates illuminates imagines impels implies includes indicates infers inspires intends interprets interrupts inundates justifies juxtaposes lambasts laments lampoons lists maintains makes manages manipulates minimizes moralizes muses notes observes opposes organizes overstates outlines patronizes performs permits personifies persuades ponders portrays postulates prepares presents presumes produces projects promotes proposes provides qualifies questions rationalizes reasons recalls recites recollects records recounts reflects refers regards regrets rejects represents results reveals ridicules satirizes seems sees selects specifies speculates states strives suggests summarizes supplies supports suppresses symbolizes sympathizes traces understands vacillates values verifies Verbs to Use Instead of “Exemplifies” or “Shows” appears asserts attests to certifies confirms connotes corroborates defines demonstrates denotes depicts discloses elucidates endorses establishes evinces exhibits expounds exposes intimates manifests points to proves ratifies relates substantiates suggests typifies upholds validates illustrates explains represents indicates displays explains delineates reveals verifies Above verb lists adapted from Liz Davis’ “Yellow Pages” Verbs to Use Instead of “Says” In an ACCUSING or ARGUMENTATIVE way: abjures admonishes alleges argues assumes baits belittles condescends criticizes challenges charges chides counters disagrees examines jeers justifies objects scorns taunts In an AGREEABLE way acquiesces acknowledges advocates affirms agrees appeases approves assents bargains campaigns compliments concurs consents praises promotes In an ANGRY way accuses crabs curses blurts explodes fumes hisses jeers miffs rages retorts roars scolds seethes snaps sneers storms thunders In an ANIMATED way blurts chokes coughs croaks disrupts drawls dribbles echoes exaggerates gags In a BEGGING way appeals cajoles coaxes craves begs beseeches besieges bemoans entreats expiates implores nags pleads repents urges In a BOSSY way argues bosses barks commands demands dictates directs insists instructs lectures nags preaches professes orders In a CAUTIOUS way admonishes cautions exhorts foretells warns In a CLUMSY way blusters babbles jabbers sputters stammers In a DEFEATED way admits concedes confesses In a DIRECT way advises articulates asserts assures attests avouches avows blurts bargains communicates confirms contests contributes counsels discloses divulges elaborates emphasizes enumerates enunciates exposes expresses notifies pronounces In a DISAGREEING way argues complains contests contradicts counters chides debates defends denies denounces In an EXCITED way cries gloats enthuses exclaims squeals In a FRIGHTENED way cautions cowers falters quakes quivers shivers stammers shudders trembles In a HAPPY way cackles coos cheers chirps chortles chuckles giggles grins jokes laughs lilts rejoices sings squeals twitters Describing Characters Physical Qualities: great substitutions for “pretty” and “ugly” manly virile robust hardy sturdy strapping stalwart muscular brawny lovely fair comely handsome dainty delicate graceful elegant shapely attractive winsome ravishing dapper immaculate adroit dexterous adept skillful agile nimble active lively spirited vivacious weak feeble sickly frail decrepit emaciated cadaverous effeminate unwomanly hideous homely coarse unkempt slovenly awkward clumsy ungainly graceless bizarre grotesque incongruous ghastly repellent repugnant replusive odious invidious loathsome Mental Qualities: great substitutions for “smart” and “stupid” 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 faultless righteous guileless upright exemplary chaste pure undefiled temperate abstentious austere ascetic puritanical truthful honorable trustworthy straightforward decent respectable wicked corrupt degenerate notorious vicious incorrigible dissembling infamous immoral unprincipled reprobate depraved indecent ribald vulgar intemperate sensual dissolute deceitful dishonest unscrupulous dishonorable base vile foul recalcitrant philandering opportunistic Spiritual Qualities: more great substitutions for “good” and “bad” religious reverent pious devout faithful regenerate holy saintly angelic skeptical agnostic atheistic irreligious impious irreverent profane sacrilegious materialistic carnal godless diabolic fiendish blasphemous unregenerate altruistic charitable Social Qualities: great substitutions for “nice” and “mean” civil amicable contentious unpolished sullen tactful courteous cooperative genial affable hospitable gracious amiable cordial congenial convivial jovial jolly urbane suave anti-social acrimonious quarrelsome antagonistic misanthropic discourteous impudent impolite insolent ill-bred ill-mannered unrefined rustic provincial boorish brusque churlish fawning obsequious sniveling grumpy fractious crusty peevish petulant waspish taciturn reticent gregarious garrulous 45 Ways to Avoid Saying “Very” Avoid Saying… Instead Say… Avoid Saying… Instead Say… Avoid Saying… Instead Say… very afraid terrified very fast quick very roomy spacious very angry furious very fierce ferocious very rude vulgar very bad atrocious very good superb very serious solemn very beautiful exquisite very happy jubilant very small tiny very big immense very hot scalding very strong unyielding very bright dazzling very hungry ravenous very stupid idiotic very capable accomplished very large colossal very tasty delicious very clean spotless very lively vivacious very thin gaunt very clever brilliant very loved adored very tired exhausted very cold freezing very neat immaculate very ugly hideous very conventional conservative very old ancient very valuable precious very dirty squalid very poor destitute very weak feeble very dry parched very pretty lovely, gorgeous very wet soaked very eager keen very quiet silent very wise sagacious very evil villainous very risky perilous very worried anxious NOUNS For Use in Literary Discussion Analyzing Characters foil nemesis adversary protagonist antagonist confidante doppelganger narrator (unknown, reliable, unreliable, naïve) Analyzing Structure/Organization/Point of View foreshadowing epiphany analogy extended metaphor shifts parallel structure comparison/contrast transition sequence definition juxtaposition anecdote frame story arrangement classification categorization placement perspective (chronological, geographic, emotional, political) person (first, second, third) Identifying Genre/Purpose novel novella personal narrative memoir abstract fable sermon portrayal treatise parody précis synopsis critique verse journey travelogue essay allegory polemic commentary farce conceit eulogy elegy archetype soliloquy monologue Identifying Sound Devices alliteration assonance consonance repetition rhyme end rhyme feminine rhyme masculine rhyme meter slant rhyme incremental rhyme eye rhyme onomatopoeia