These verbs will be especially effective They are excellent when the subject is the author or a character. replacements for “be” Careful use of these verbs can result in precise identification of an author’s verbs. purpose. VERBS FOR LITERARY ANALYSIS accentuates considers expresses ponders accepts contrasts foreshadows portrays advocates defines heightens presents argues delineates highlights presumes attacks depicts illustrates provides attributes differentiates implies questions bases dissipates juxtaposes recapitulates challenges distorts maintains reflects characterizes downplays minimizes rejects chooses elicits observes reveals claims emphasizes opposes suggests compares enumerates personifies symbolizes compels evokes persuades sympathizes THEME VOCABULARY Brendan Kenny’s List of Abstract Ideas for Forming Theme Statements: alienation duty identity persistence/perseverance ambition education illusion/innocence poverty appearance v. reality escape initiation prejudice betrayal exile instinct bureaucracy faith/loss of faith journey (literal or prophecy chance/fate/luck falsity/pretence psychological) repentance children family/parenthood law/justice revenge/retribution courage/cowardice free will/willpower loneliness/solitude ritual/ceremony cruelty/violence game/contests/sports loyalty/disloyalty scapegoat/victim custom/tradition greed materialism social status defeat/failure guilt memory/the past the supernatural despair/discontent/disillusionment heart v. reason mob psychology time/eternity domination/suppression heaven/paradise/Utopia music/dance dreams/fantasies home patriotism war Subject What is the work about? Provide a one to three word answer. See Vocabulary” above for ideas. “Theme Theme 2. What is the author’s message with regard to #1 as it pertains to the condition? In other words, what comment does the work make on human nature, the human condition, human motivation, or human ambition? 3. In identifying and stating be sure that the observation: (a) is not too terse to express the complexity of the human experience. (b) avoids moralizing words such as and should ought. (c) avoids specific reference to plot and characters. (d) avoids absolute such as and anyone, all, none, everything, everyone. 4. Using both dependent and independent clauses, write a complex sentence which fulfills the requirements above and which explains one of the major themes of the work. Sample for Subject: sacred versus profane love Anna Karenina –
These verbs will be especially effective when the subject is the author or a character. They are excellent replacements for “be” verbs. Careful use of these verbs can result in precise identification of an author’s purpose. VERBS FOR LITERARY ANALYSIS accentuates accepts advocates argues attacks attributes bases challenges characterizes chooses claims compares compels considers contrasts defines delineates depicts differentiates dissipates distorts downplays elicits emphasizes enumerates evokes expresses foreshadows heightens highlights illustrates implies juxtaposes maintains minimizes observes opposes personifies persuades ponders portrays presents presumes provides questions recapitulates reflects rejects reveals suggests symbolizes sympathizes THEME VOCABULARY Brendan Kenny’s List of Abstract Ideas for Forming Theme Statements: alienation ambition appearance v. reality betrayal bureaucracy chance/fate/luck children courage/cowardice cruelty/violence custom/tradition defeat/failure despair/discontent/disillusionment domination/suppression dreams/fantasies duty education escape exile faith/loss of faith falsity/pretence family/parenthood free will/willpower game/contests/sports greed guilt heart v. reason heaven/paradise/Utopia home identity illusion/innocence initiation instinct journey (literal or psychological) law/justice loneliness/solitude loyalty/disloyalty materialism memory/the past mob psychology music/dance patriotism persistence/perseverance poverty prejudice prophecy repentance revenge/retribution ritual/ceremony scapegoat/victim social status the supernatural time/eternity war Subject What is the work about? Provide a one to three word answer. See “Theme Vocabulary” above for ideas. Theme 2. What is the author’s message with regard to #1 as it pertains to the condition? In other words, what comment does the work make on human nature, the human condition, human motivation, or human ambition? 3. In identifying and stating be sure that the observation: (a) is not too terse to express the complexity of the human experience. (b) avoids moralizing words such as should and ought. (c) avoids specific reference to plot and characters. (d) avoids absolute such as anyone, all, none, everything, and everyone. 4. Using both dependent and independent clauses, write a complex sentence which fulfills the requirements above and which explains one of the major themes of the work. Sample for Anna Karenina – Subject: sacred versus profane love
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