Author Actions and Analytical Phrases

This page expands on the useful phrases for analysis by providing an extensive list of verbs and phrases to describe author actions and analytical approaches. It's particularly helpful for students working on text analysis in English.

The page is structured as a two-column list, with the left column containing verbs and phrases describing author actions, and the right column listing the objects or concepts these actions can be applied to.

Some key author actions include:

• Starts out/off with
• Puts forward
• Proceeds to
• Points out
• Explains
• Presents
• Outlines
• Deals with
• Describes
• Pictures
• Portrays
• Characterizes
• Creates

Vocabulary: "Alludes to" means to refer to something indirectly or subtly.

The right column provides a range of elements that can be the focus of these actions, such as:

• The thesis
• The argument
• The aspect
• The topic/subject
• Main ideas
• An atmosphere of
• The situation of
• The attitude of
• The behavior of

Example: "The author proceeds to outline the main ideas of the text."

This page is particularly useful for students learning to vary their language in analysis of fiction texts or when discussing stylistic devices. It provides a rich vocabulary for describing how authors construct their arguments or narratives.

Highlight: The page emphasizes the importance of precise language in analysis, offering multiple ways to express similar concepts, which is crucial for developing a sophisticated analytical style.

Vocabulary for Text Analysis

This page introduces essential useful phrases for analysis in English, focusing on verbs and expressions that can enhance the quality of textual commentary. It provides guidance on how to structure an analysis and incorporate quotations effectively.

The document begins by presenting phrases to indicate different parts of a story or text, such as "at the beginning of the story" or "in the first/second/third/last part." These are crucial for organizing thoughts and guiding the reader through the analysis.

Example: "The adjective '...' in line ... shows that ..."

The guide then moves on to more specific analytical phrases, such as:

• To underline
• To stress/emphasize
• To make clear
• To illustrate
• To convey

Highlight: The document emphasizes the importance of using varied language to improve writing style, suggesting alternating between active and passive sentences and using connectors (linking words).

A significant portion of the page is dedicated to explaining how to incorporate quotations into an analysis. It distinguishes between direct and indirect quotations:

Definition:

• Direct quotation: Using the exact words from the text, enclosed in inverted commas, with line numbers indicated in brackets.
• Indirect quotation: Paraphrasing ideas from the text in your own words, without inverted commas, using "cf." (confer) when indicating line numbers.

This section provides valuable guidance for students learning how to integrate textual evidence into their analyses, a key skill in English vocabulary development and academic writing.