Rhetorically Accurate VERBS

Time to liven up those VERBS

Here are replacements for the commonly used verb forms of “to be,” “to give,” “to have,” “to say,” “to use.” Do NOT randomly pick a verb. Choose verbs that fit both the meaning and the connotation you wish to employ. Avoid words that feel forced or stuffy. Check dictionary definitions if you are not sure.

To Use

accepts adopts applies consumes conveys delivers depletes draws upon embraces employs engages entails espouses exercises exerts exhausts expends implements invokes places plies presents produces provides resorts sanctions spends summons undergoes wields

To Say

adjures advances advises asks asserts barks bawls begs bellows beseeches cajoles cheers chimes chortles chuckles commands complains confides counsels cries crows declares decrees demands describes dictates directs discloses divulges elucidates encourages entreats exclaims exhorts explains giggles gripes groans grouses growls grumbles hails hints hisses howls illustrates implies implores inquires insinuates instructs intimates justifies laments laughs leers lisps mandates mews moans mumbles murmurs muses mutters orders pleads ponders pontificates proclaims pronounces proposes queries rationalizes recommends recounts relates reports requests reveals rules screams shouts sighs sings smiles snarls sneers sobs spits states submits suggests thunders titters wails wheezes whimpers whines whispers wonders yaps yelps

To Have

bears boasts commends delivers dictates elicits embraces espouses evinces exhibits expresses holds includes indulges maintains manifests owns posits possesses provokes retains supports tolerates

To Give

addresses administers allots asserts awards bequeaths bestows cedes confers consigns conveys declares delivers discloses dispenses divulges emanates endows grants immolates imparts introduces issues lends posits presents proffers proposes submits transmits vouchsafes yields

To Be

abides acts arises betokens betrays coincides comes about comes to pass compares conjures connotes continues denotes discloses divulges emulates endures exhibits exists exposes follows implies indicates inhabits insinuates intimates lives marks mirrors occurs parallels persists portrays proposes reflects remains represents reveals signals signifies submits subsists suggests symbolizes takes place

Brainstorm verbs with your group to replace To Write

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Directions for writing a précis

Directions for writing a précis

Head each précis with the MLA-style citation for the article or book. A good précis has four to five sentences. Each sentence centers on a strong action verb. Avoid “to be” verbs and weak verbs such as “says,” “writes,” “does.” These verbs do not usually express either how the author approached the writing of the article or how the article “works” rhetorically. (See “Time to liven up those Verbs.”)

Sentence 1:
Name of author, [optional: a phrase describing the author], the genre and title of the work, date in parentheses (additional publishing information in parentheses or note), a rhetorically accurate verb (such as "assert," "argue," "suggest," "imply," "claim," etc.), and a THAT clause containing the major assertion (thesis statement) of the work.

Sentence 2:
An explanation of how the author develops and/or supports the thesis usually in chronological order.

Sentence 3:
A statement of the author’s apparent purpose, followed by an "in order" phrase.

Sentence 4:
A description of the intended audience and/or the relationship the author establishes with the audience. (54)

SAMPLE

Baker, Sheridan. “Attitudes.” Journal 22(1966): 125-39.

In “Attitudes” (1966), Sheridan Baker asserts that writers’ attitudes toward their subjects, their audiences, and themselves powerfully influence the quality of their prose. Baker supports his assertion with examples that show how inappropriate attitudes can make writing unclear, pompous, or boring. He concludes that good writers respect their audiences, are aware of their readers’ needs, and remain “amiable toward human failings” (58). Baker’s purpose is to make his readers aware that negative attitudes can sabotage their attempts to become better writers. He establishes an informal relationship with his audience of college students who are interested in learning to write with conviction (55).

Joining in the Discussion

Joining in the Discussion

Following a Columnist

There is an old cliché that goes “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

During this quarter you are to identify a columnist that you would like to follow.

The purpose of this assignment is twofold. You are to study the stylistic and rhetorical choices the journalist made to create the piece and to produce a loose imitation of the style on a subject of your choice.

Columns appear in more than just one section of the newspaper or weekly magazine (Time/Newsweek/Sports Illustrated/People). Once you have identified a columnist you think you would like to follow, write me a MEMO. In your memo you must request permission to follow the columnist. You must tell me who they are, what their area of interest, and their intended audience.

YOUR MEMO IS DUE AT THE NEXT CLASS.

PART ONE: Then, visit the site/newspaper/magazine weekly for four weeks. Print and then read a column a week for four weeks. (Either look for a printer friendly button at the site or copy and paste the column (with headline and date) into a word document.

Then, write a Précis and attach the précis to the column and turn it in for credit.

You will get credit as follows:

Four columns with précis 100

Three columns with précis 90

Two columns with précis 80

One column with précis 70

If your Précis is incomplete, two points will be deducted from the total score for incomplete, hastily written, or incorrect précis. (Be sure every verb is strong and in present tense.)

• If you would like extra credit, you will receive one 2 pt. coupon for each additional column with précis attached. I won’t take more than 6 columns total.

PART TWO: Write your column. It can be about anything as long as the style and format mirror your chosen columnist (350-500 words)

Resources for Locating a Columnist:

Magazines/newspapers read by your family. Generally the columnist has their photo included. Often the back page has a regular columnist featured.

You can find 700 columnists linked at http://blueagle.com/