Sep 10, 2023 · Use analysis verbs as a way of demonstrating your mastery of a topic. But instead of simply using the same verb over and over again, try to mix up your use of analysis verbs to convey the most precise meaning you can in each context. Below are over 150 examples of analysis verbs that you can use. Make sure you choose wisely for your situation. ... 2. In other words. Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.” 3. To put it another way ... Feb 13, 2024 · This diagram demonstrated the results obtained from the preliminary analysis of X; The results of correlational/ comparative/ descriptive analysis are presented in Table A; 📈 Analytical Words and Phrases to Describe Trends. For a more in-depth analysis of the data from your visualization, try using these academic phrases. ... Oct 25, 2023 · How to Write a Great Essay in English! This lesson provides 100+ useful words, transition words and expressions used in writing an essay. Let’s take a look! The secret to a successful essay doesn’t just lie in the clever things you talk about and the way you structure your points. ... Mar 25, 2024 · Analysis verbs are words used to describe analysis actions such as measurement, evaluation, comparison, classification, inference, predictions, validation and hypothesis testing. Discussion Analysis verbs are used to both explain your own arguments and those of your sources. ... Sep 13, 2023 · Use these advanced essay words to improve your essays and sound more persuasive in writing. In this guide, you’ll find 30 advanced essay words to use in academic writing. Advanced English words are great for making academic writing more impressive and persuasive, which has the potential to wow teachers and professors, and even improve your ... ... For each word chosen, you will need to use your assigned Major Literary Analysis text. You do not need to locate the word inside of the text; instead, use the word to help explain the plot line, characterization, themes, motifs, etc. of your work. Use the following example below to guide you. Example + Vocab Word + Explanation or Significance ... Useful for when you want to say something is like something else, without it being repetition. For example: Lady Macbeth’s words echo many of thing things she said earlier in the play, showing how much… etc. emphasise - ‘give special importance or value to’. Useful for the analysis of methods. ... Sep 15, 2024 · This Resource is for Mainstream English Year 12 Students writing Analytical Essays for Reading and Responding to Texts AOS1 Units 3 & 4 in the SAC and VCE English Exam Section A. It is a good idea to vary the type of words you use to write an analytical essay for Section A in the VCE English Exam. ... ">

CISL English Language Schools, California

50 Verbs of Analysis for English Academic Essays

 Verbs of Analysis for English Academic Essays

Note: this list is for advanced English learners (CEFR level B2 or above). All definitions are from the Cambridge Dictionary online . 

Definition: to have an influence on someone or something, or to cause a change in someone or something.

Example: Experts agree that coffee affects the body in ways we have not yet studied.

Definition: to increase the size or effect of something.

Example: It has been shown that this drug amplifies the side effects that were experienced by patients in previous trials.

Definition: to say that something is certainly true .

Example: Smith asserts that his findings are valid, despite criticism by colleagues.

Characterizes

Definition: Something that characterizes another thing is typical of it.

Example: His early paintings are characterized by a distinctive pattern of blue and yellow.

Definition: to say that something is true or is a fact , although you cannot prove it and other people might not believe it.

Example: Smith claims that the study is the first of its kind, and very different from the 2015 study he conducted.

Definition: to make something clear or easier to understand by giving more details or a simpler explanation .

Example: The professor clarified her statement with a later, more detailed, statement.

Definition: t o collect information from different places and arrange it in a book , report , or list .

Example: After compiling the data, the scientists authored a ten-page paper on their study and its findings.

Definition: to judge or decide something after thinking carefully about it.

Example: Doctor Jensen concluded that the drug wasn’t working, so he switched his patient to a new medicine.

Definition: to prove that a belief or an opinion that was previously not completely certain is true .

Example: This new data confirms the hypothesis many researchers had.

Definition: to join or be joined with something else .

Example: By including the criticisms of two researchers, Smith connects two seemingly different theories and illustrates a trend with writers of the Romanticism period.

 Verbs of Analysis for English Academic Essays

Differentiates

Definition: to show or find the difference between things that are compared .

Example: Smith differentiates between the two theories in paragraph 4 of the second part of the study.

Definition: to reduce or be reduced in s i ze or importance .

Example: The new findings do not diminish the findings of previous research; rather, it builds on it to present a more complicated theory about the effects of global warming.

Definition: to cause people to stop respecting someone or believing in an idea or person .

Example: The details about the improper research done by the institution discredits the institution’s newest research.

Definition: to show.

Example: Smith’s findings display the effects of global warming that have not yet been considered by other scientists.

Definition: to prove that something is not true .

Example: Scientists hope that this new research will disprove the myth that vaccines are harmful to children.

Distinguishes

Definition: to notice or understand the difference between two things, or to make one person or thing seem different from another.

Example: Our study seems similar to another one by Duke University: how can we distinguish ourselves and our research from this study?

Definition: to add more information to or explain something that you have said.

Example: In this new paper, Smith elaborates on theories she discussed in her 2012 book.

Definition:  to represent a quality or an idea exactly .

Example: Shakespeare embodies English theater, but few can understand the antiquated (old) form of English that is used in the plays.

Definition: to copy something achieved by someone else and try to do it as well as they have.

Example: Although the study emulates some of the scientific methods used in previous research, it also offers some inventive new research methods.

Definition: to improve the quality , amount , or strength of something.

Example: The pharmaceutical company is looking for ways to enhance the effectiveness of its current drug for depression.

 Verbs of Analysis for English Academic Essays

Definition: to make something necessary , or to involve something.

Example: The scientist’s study entails several different stages, which are detailed in the report.

Definition: to consider one thing to be the same as or equal to another thing.

Example: Findings from both studies equate; therefore, we can conclude that they are both accurate.

Establishes

Definition: to discover or get proof of something.

Example: The award establishes the main causes of global warming.

Definition: to make someone remember something or feel an emotion .

Example: The artist’s painting evokes the work of some of the painters from the early 1800s.

Definition: to show something.

Example: Some of the research study participants exhibit similar symptoms while taking the medicine.

Facilitates

Definition: to make something possible or easier .

Example: The equipment that facilitates the study is expensive and of high-quality.

Definition: the main or central point of something, especially of attention or interest .

Example: The author focuses on World War II, which is an era she hasn’t written about before.

Foreshadows

Definition: to act as a warning or sign of a future event .

Example: The sick bird at the beginning of the novel foreshadows the illness the main character develops later in the book.

Definition: to develop all the details of a plan for doing something.

Example: Two teams of scientists formulated the research methods for the study.

Definition: to cause something to exist .

Example: The study’s findings have generated many questions about this new species of frog in South America.

 Verbs of Analysis for English Academic Essays

Definition:   to attract attention to or emphasize something important .

Example: The author, Dr. Smith, highlights the need for further studies on the possible causes of cancer among farm workers.

Definition: to recognize a problem , need, fact , etc. and to show that it exists .

Example: Through this study, scientists were able to identify three of the main factors causing global warming.

Illustrates

Definition:   to show the meaning or truth of something more clearly , especially by giving examples .

Example: Dr. Robin’s study illustrates the need for more research on the effects of this experimental drug.

Definition: to communicate an idea or feeling without saying it directly .

Example: The study implies that there are many outside factors (other than diet and exercise) which determine a person’s tendency to gain weight.

Incorporates

Definition: to include something as part of something larger .

Example: Dr. Smith incorporates research findings from 15 other studies in her well-researched paper.

Definition: to show, point , or make clear in another way.

Example: Overall, the study indicates that there is no real danger (other than a lack of sleep) to drinking three cups of coffee per day.

Definition: to form an opinion or guess that something is true because of the information that you have.

Example: From this study about a new medicine, we can infer that it will work similarly to other drugs that are currently being sold.

Definition: to tell someone about parti c ular facts .

Example: Dr. Smith informs the reader that there are some issues with this study: the oddly rainy weather in 2017 made it difficult for them to record the movements of the birds they were studying.

Definition: to suggest , without being direct , that something unpleasant is true .

Example: In addition to the reported conclusions, the study insinuates that there are many hidden dangers to driving while texting.

Definition: to combine two or more things in order to become more effective .

Example: The study about the popularity of social media integrates Facebook and Instagram hashtag use.

 Verbs of Analysis for English Academic Essays

Definition: to not have or not have enough of something that is needed or wanted .

Example: What the study lacks, I believe, is a clear outline of the future research that is needed.

Legitimizes

Definition: to make something legal or acceptable .

Example: Although the study legitimizes the existence of global warming, some will continue to think it is a hoax.

Definition: to make a problem bigger or more important .

Example: In conclusion, the scientists determined that the new pharmaceutical actually magnifies some of the symptoms of anxiety.

Definition: something that a copy can be based on because it is an extremely good example of its type .

Example: The study models a similar one from 1973, which needed to be redone with modern equipment.

Definition: to cause something to have no effect .

Example: This negates previous findings that say that sulphur in wine gives people headaches.

Definition: to not give enough c a re or attention to people or things that are your responsibility .

Example: The study neglects to mention another study in 2015 that had very different findings.

Definition: to make something difficult to discover and understand .

Example: The problems with the equipment obscures the study.

Definition: a description of the main facts about something.

Example: Before describing the research methods, the researchers outline the need for a study on the effects of anti-anxiety medication on children.

Definition:   to fail to notice or consider something or someone.

Example: I personally feel that the study overlooks something very important: the participants might have answered some of the questions incorrectly.

Definition: to happen at the same time as something else , or be similar or equal to something else .

Example: Although the study parallels the procedures of a 2010 study, it has very different findings.

Converse International School of Languages offers an English for Academic Purposes course for students interested in improving their academic English skills. Students may take this course, which is offered in the afternoon for 12 weeks, at both CISL San Diego and CISL San Francisco . EAP course graduates can go on to CISL’s Aca demic Year Abroad program, where students attend one semester at a California Community College. Through CISL’s University Pathway program, EAP graduates may also attend college or university at one of CISL’s Pathway Partners. See the list of 25+ partners on the CISL website . Contact CISL for more information.  

helpful professor logo

152 Analysis Verbs

152 Analysis Verbs

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

list of analysis verbs

Analysis verbs are helpful in demonstrating your higher-order thinking skills. They help you to show that you haven’t just understood what you read, but that you can also critique it.

Use analysis verbs as a way of demonstrating your mastery of a topic. But instead of simply using the same verb over and over again, try to mix up your use of analysis verbs to convey the most precise meaning you can in each context.

Below are over 150 examples of analysis verbs that you can use. Make sure you choose wisely for your situation.

Analysis Verbs List

  • Articulates
  • Casts Doubt
  • Characterizes
  • Contradicts
  • Deconstructs
  • Demonstrates
  • Differentiates
  • Distinguishes
  • Embellishes
  • Establishes
  • Exaggerates
  • Exemplifies
  • Extrapolates
  • Facilitates
  • Foreshadows
  • Hypothesizes
  • Illustrates
  • Incorporates
  • Investigates
  • Legitimizes
  • Manipulates
  • Misses the Point
  • Particularizes
  • Perpetuates
  • Personifies
  • Presupposes
  • Problematizes
  • Rationalizes
  • Recapitulates
  • Sensationalizes
  • Strengthens
  • Substantiates

Examples of Analysis Verbs in a Sentence

Advises – Johnson advises that students should finish their essays at least two weeks before due date.

Advocates – The writer advocates for one perspective over another.

Affects – The study affects how we perceive the data.

Alleges – The author alleges that earlier research was poorly conducted.

Alludes – In his speech, the student alludes to recent studies.

Amplifies – The new information amplifies the theory.

Argues – The professor argues that their position is more valid.

Articulates – The student articulates her ideas well.

Asserts – The article asserts that the data was valid.

Assesses – The teacher assesses that the students had poor understanding of the material.

Attributes – The article attributes the cause of the changes to the researcher’s intervention.

Bolsters – The new evidence bolsters the case.

Builds – The professor builds upon their previous arguments in their new book.

Casts Doubt – The study casts doubt on the previous research.

Certifies – The article certifies that the data is accurate.

Characterizes – The article characterizes the data as accurate.

Claims – The author claims that they have found new information.

Clarifies – The author clarifies what they mean in the second paragraph.

Collates – The study accurately collates the data.

Compares – The study compares their findings to previous findings.

Compels – The evidence compels the jury to find the defendant guilty.

Complies – The study complies with the requirements for methodological rigor.

Concedes – The author concedes that they were wrong.

Concludes – The study concludes that there is a correlation between sleep and grades.

Confirms – The new data confirms the theory.

Connects – The study connects the dots to generate new data.

Constructs – The professor constructs an argument.

Contradicts – The new evidence contradicts the old evidence.

Contrasts – The article contrasts the two perspectives.

Conveys – The author conveys their feelings about the subject matter.

Correlates – The study correlates the two datasets effectively.

Creates – The study creates a strong argument.

Criticizes – The article criticizes the government’s response to the crisis.

Critiques – The student critiques the article.

Deconstructs – The professor deconstructs the popular theory.

Deepens – The research deepens our understanding of the phenomenon.

Defends – The author defends their position.

Demonstrates – The experiment demonstrates that the data is accurate.

Denies – The author denies that the previous study is accurate.

Denotes – The study denotes that there is a link between the two datasets.

Derives – The student derives their conclusion from the data.

Develops – The author develops a new theory.

Deviates – The results deviate from what was expected.

Differentiates – The article differentiates between the two types of research.

Diminishes – The impact of the evidence diminishes over time.

Disagrees – The two scientists disagree about the results of the experiment.

Discards – The author discards the irrelevant evidence.

Discredits – The study discredits the old evidence.

Disproves – The new evidence disproves the theory.

Distinguishes – The article distinguishes between the two types of research.

Eclipses – The new evidence eclipses the old evidence.

Elaborates – The author elaborates on their point in the second paragraph.

Elevates – The writer elevates their position.

Elicits – The writer elicits a response from their readers.

Embellishes – The author embellishes the story with details.

Embodies – The book embodies the ideals of the movement.

Emphasizes – The author emphasizes their point with an example.

Encourages – The teacher encourages the students to think outside the box.

Enhances – The study enhances the strength of previous studies.

Equates – The article equates the two phenomena.

Establishes – The study establishes a connection between the two concepts.

Evaluates – The professor evaluates the students’ papers.

Evokes – The article evokes a feeling of frustration.

Exaggerates – The article exaggerates its findings.

Examines – The study examines the points in more depth than ever before.

Exemplifies – The student exemplifies their knowledge of the material.

Exhibits – The author exhibits a depth of knowledge around the topic.

Exonerates – The new evidence exonerates the accused.

Expands – The theory expands previous knowledge on the topic.

Exposes – The article exposes previously unknown information.

Extends – The research extends our understanding of the phenomenon.

Extrapolates – The scientist extrapolates from past trends to make predictions.

Facilitates – The author facilitates knowledge transfer through detailed writing.

Forecasts – The study forecasts future trends.

Foreshadows – The author foreshadows that new findings will come soon.

Formulates – The study formulates a hypothesis.

Frames – The article frames the issue in a new light.

Furnishes – The study furnishes evidence to support its claims.

Gauges – The scholar gauges people’s reactions through a new blog post on the topic.

Generates – The scholar generates a new theory by bringing together a range of different ideas.

Highlights – The article highlights the importance of the issues.

Hints – The article hints that there may be a link between the data.

Hypothesizes – The researcher hypothesizes that there is a link between two concepts.

Illustrates – The author illustrates their point with an example.

Imagines – The author imagines a future where their findings will change the world.

Imparts – The teacher imparts knowledge to her students.

Implies – The study implies that there is a link between the two concepts.

Incorporates – The author incorporates three new ideas in their new book.

Indicates – The study indicates that there is a link between the two concepts.

Infers – The reader infers from the data that there is a link between the two concepts.

Insinuates – The article insinuates that there is a problem with previous studies.

Integrates – The author integrates three ideas into one thesis very well.

Interprets – The author interprets previous studies in the wrong way.

Invents – The author invents a new way to look at the issue.

Investigates – The scholar investigates the issue.

Isolates – The study isolates a group of people to focus on.

Justifies – The study justifies its cost by pointing to the revolutionary findings.

Lambasts – The article lambasts the previous scholars’ inaction on the topic.

Lauds – The article lauds the efforts of the university to improve its work.

Legitimizes – The author legitimizes previous studies.

Limits – The study limits its focus to a specific group of people.

Magnifies – The article magnifies the effects of climate change.

Maintains – The author maintains that this is a worthwhile argument despite some critique.

Manipulates – The author manipulates the data in the study to meet their biases.

Misses the Point – The article misses the point of the issue.

Negates – The study negates the hypothesis that there is a link between social media and depression.

Neglects – The article neglects to mention the other side of the issue.

Obscures – The author obscures the fact that they don’t have much evidence to support their claims.

Omits – The article omits vital information about the issue.

Optimizes – The author optimizes their argument by structuring their paragraphs well.

Overlooks – The article overlooks the fact that there are other ways to look at the issue.

Draws Parallels – The article draws parallels between two previously unlinked concepts.

Particularizes – The article particularizes the issue.

Perpetuates – The article perpetuates false narratives.

Personifies – The article personifies the issue well.

Persuades – The article persuades the reader to take action.

Pivots – The author pivots from talking about the effects of the issue to talking about what we can do to solve it.

Points Out – The article points out that climate change is a global problem.

Predicts – The article predicts that the problem will get worse.

Prejudices – The study prejudices the results by only looking at one group of people.

Presupposes – The article presupposes that the reader knows a lot about the issue.

Probes – The author probes the issue with new questions.

Problematizes – The article problematizes the issue.

Promotes – The article promotes the idea that we need to take action.

Proposes – The article proposes a new way to look at the issue.

Proves – The article proves that the issue is real and happening.

Provokes – The article provokes the reader to think about the issue more deeply.

Queries – The article queries the validity of the issue.

Rationalizes – The company rationalizes its actions.

Recapitulates – The article recapitulates the main points of the issue but doesn’t add new data.

Refutes – The article refutes previous claims.

Reinforces – The article reinforces the idea that the issue is a big problem.

Reiterates – The article reiterates the main points on the issue.

Reveals – The study reveals that there is a link between two concepts.

Ridicules – The article ridicules the other scholar’s ideas.

Sensationalizes – The article sensationalizes the findings from their dataset to gain attention.

Simplifies – The article simplifies the issue too much.

Speculates – The article speculates on the future of the issue.

Strengthens – The article strengthens the reader’s understanding of the issue.

Substantiates – The article substantiates the idea that the issue is serious.

Supports – The article supports previous studies.

Underlines – The article underlines the importance of taking action on this issue.

Undermines – The article undermines the reader’s trust in previous research.

Unifies – The article unifies the different perspectives on the issue.

Urges – The article urges the reader to take action on the issue.

Validates – The study validates the link between the two concepts.

Verifies – The article verifies the claims made in the previous study.

Vilifies – The article vilifies its opponents.

Warns – The article warns that the effects will only get worse over time.

Weakens – The article weakens the reader’s understanding of the issue.

Withstands – The article withstands scrutiny.

Not all of the above analysis verbs will be perfect for every situation, but one of them will be perfect for you! Select a range of verbs for analysis when writing a critical review. Similarly, for people seeking analysis verbs for learning outcomes, try to select ones that perfectly capture what you want to see from your students.

Chris

  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ Free Social Skills Worksheets
  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 20 Montessori Toddler Bedrooms (Design Inspiration)
  • Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Coming soon: Our Los Angeles Summer School. Register your interest here .

Other languages

  • 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

analysis essay words

To be truly brilliant, an essay needs to utilise the right language. You could make a great point, but if it’s not intelligently articulated, you almost needn’t have bothered.

Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them.

It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills.

If you’re interested in developing your language and persuasive skills, Oxford Royale offers summer courses at its Oxford Summer School , Cambridge Summer School , London Summer School , San Francisco Summer School and Yale Summer School . You can study courses to learn english , prepare for careers in law , medicine , business , engineering and leadership.

General explaining

Let’s start by looking at language for general explanations of complex points.

1. In order to

Usage: “In order to” can be used to introduce an explanation for the purpose of an argument. Example: “In order to understand X, we need first to understand Y.”

2. In other words

Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.”

3. To put it another way

Usage: This phrase is another way of saying “in other words”, and can be used in particularly complex points, when you feel that an alternative way of wording a problem may help the reader achieve a better understanding of its significance. Example: “Plants rely on photosynthesis. To put it another way, they will die without the sun.”

4. That is to say

Usage: “That is” and “that is to say” can be used to add further detail to your explanation, or to be more precise. Example: “Whales are mammals. That is to say, they must breathe air.”

5. To that end

Usage: Use “to that end” or “to this end” in a similar way to “in order to” or “so”. Example: “Zoologists have long sought to understand how animals communicate with each other. To that end, a new study has been launched that looks at elephant sounds and their possible meanings.”

Adding additional information to support a point

Students often make the mistake of using synonyms of “and” each time they want to add further information in support of a point they’re making, or to build an argument. Here are some cleverer ways of doing this.

6. Moreover

Usage: Employ “moreover” at the start of a sentence to add extra information in support of a point you’re making. Example: “Moreover, the results of a recent piece of research provide compelling evidence in support of…”

7. Furthermore

Usage:This is also generally used at the start of a sentence, to add extra information. Example: “Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that…”

8. What’s more

Usage: This is used in the same way as “moreover” and “furthermore”. Example: “What’s more, this isn’t the only evidence that supports this hypothesis.”

9. Likewise

Usage: Use “likewise” when you want to talk about something that agrees with what you’ve just mentioned. Example: “Scholar A believes X. Likewise, Scholar B argues compellingly in favour of this point of view.”

10. Similarly

Usage: Use “similarly” in the same way as “likewise”. Example: “Audiences at the time reacted with shock to Beethoven’s new work, because it was very different to what they were used to. Similarly, we have a tendency to react with surprise to the unfamiliar.”

11. Another key thing to remember

Usage: Use the phrase “another key point to remember” or “another key fact to remember” to introduce additional facts without using the word “also”. Example: “As a Romantic, Blake was a proponent of a closer relationship between humans and nature. Another key point to remember is that Blake was writing during the Industrial Revolution, which had a major impact on the world around him.”

12. As well as

Usage: Use “as well as” instead of “also” or “and”. Example: “Scholar A argued that this was due to X, as well as Y.”

13. Not only… but also

Usage: This wording is used to add an extra piece of information, often something that’s in some way more surprising or unexpected than the first piece of information. Example: “Not only did Edmund Hillary have the honour of being the first to reach the summit of Everest, but he was also appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.”

14. Coupled with

Usage: Used when considering two or more arguments at a time. Example: “Coupled with the literary evidence, the statistics paint a compelling view of…”

15. Firstly, secondly, thirdly…

Usage: This can be used to structure an argument, presenting facts clearly one after the other. Example: “There are many points in support of this view. Firstly, X. Secondly, Y. And thirdly, Z.

16. Not to mention/to say nothing of

Usage: “Not to mention” and “to say nothing of” can be used to add extra information with a bit of emphasis. Example: “The war caused unprecedented suffering to millions of people, not to mention its impact on the country’s economy.”

Words and phrases for demonstrating contrast

When you’re developing an argument, you will often need to present contrasting or opposing opinions or evidence – “it could show this, but it could also show this”, or “X says this, but Y disagrees”. This section covers words you can use instead of the “but” in these examples, to make your writing sound more intelligent and interesting.

17. However

Usage: Use “however” to introduce a point that disagrees with what you’ve just said. Example: “Scholar A thinks this. However, Scholar B reached a different conclusion.”

18. On the other hand

Usage: Usage of this phrase includes introducing a contrasting interpretation of the same piece of evidence, a different piece of evidence that suggests something else, or an opposing opinion. Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of what happened that day.”

19. Having said that

Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”. Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the archaeology tells a different story.”

20. By contrast/in comparison

Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting pieces of evidence. Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast, Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”

21. Then again

Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion. Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again, it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”

22. That said

Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”. Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much of the evidence is unreliable at best.”

Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea. Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”

Adding a proviso or acknowledging reservations

Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.

24. Despite this

Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence. Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”

25. With this in mind

Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of something else. Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study to see how the results compare.”

26. Provided that

Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just “providing” to mean the same thing. Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”

27. In view of/in light of

Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else. Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better understanding of…”

28. Nonetheless

Usage: This is similar to “despite this”. Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its day.”

29. Nevertheless

Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”. Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”

30. Notwithstanding

Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”. Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”

Giving examples

Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying the same thing.

31. For instance

Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance, leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”

32. To give an illustration

Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”

Signifying importance

When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several ways of highlighting it as such.

33. Significantly

Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be immediately apparent. Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”

34. Notably

Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these ways of using it). Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”

35. Importantly

Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”. Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work, and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”

Summarising

You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some words and phrases to help you.

36. In conclusion

Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay, summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview. Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”

37. Above all

Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main takeaway from the essay. Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”

38. Persuasive

Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most convincing. Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain – seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s death.”

39. Compelling

Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above. Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”

40. All things considered

Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it seems reasonable to assume that…”

How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments below, or get in touch here to find out more about courses that can help you with your essays.

At Oxford Royale Academy, we offer a number of  summer school courses for young people who are keen to improve their essay writing skills. Click here to apply for one of our courses today, including law , business , medicine  and engineering .

Comments are closed.

Top 94 Analytical Words & Phrases to Use in Your Research Paper

When you work on your analytical paper, you need proper academic language, right?

You are at the right place.

The following ready to use analytical phrases will help you a lot. You’re welcome to use this academic phrase bank by filling in the gaps or for inspiration.

Let’s not lose any minute!

We are starting right now 🏁

  • ❗ The Importance of the Topic

🔤 Words to Use in Analytical Paragraph

  • 📚 Literature References
  • 🗣️ How to Refer to the Author
  • 🔍 Contradicting Evidence
  • 🕳️ A gap in Knowledge
  • 📊 Data from Tables/ Charts
  • 📈 Describe Trends
  • 📜 Classifications and Listings
  • ↔️ Cause and Effect
  • ↪️ Writing Conclusion

❗ Analytical Words about the Importance of the Topic

Any paper requires justification of why your topic is relevant. Here are analytical words and phrases for this purpose.

  • X has been studied in the recent several decades because
  • One of the most significant current discussions is
  • In the past years, X has attracted much attention as
  • Much attention has been drawn to
  • Recently there has been an increasing interest in
  • In the recent decades, X has been one of the major interesting research questions due to
  • Discussions about X have dominated the research community in recent years/ decades/ months
  • X has significantly influenced academic discussion on Y

An analytical paragraph is a paragraph that gives an in-depth analysis of a certain topic. It helps readers make sense of a complex issue and can be written on any subject, including films , music, historical events, philosophy, etc. The peculiarity of an analytical paragraph is that it not only presents information but also analyzes it, that is, explains its components, evaluates its significance, and draws conclusions using specific words and phrases.

Generally, an analytical paragraph contains four sections: a topic sentence, evidence, analysis, and a closing sentence. Below, we’ve listed phrases you can use in each part.

📚 Literature References with Analytical Words

What are the most successful words to use in analytical paragraph about literature ? Let’s see 👇

  • There is a consensus between scholars that
  • The relationship between X and Y has been widely investigated by
  • A number of studies have concluded that
  • Previous research has confirmed that
  • Several studies agree that
  • Previous studies indicate/ demonstrate/ suggest that
  • Prior research has documented/ has shown/ has proffered
  • The latest studies have found evidence that
  • In recent years studies contend about

🗣️ How to Refer to the Author in Analytical Phrases

While writing a literature review, you probably will have several authors you want to pay special attention to. These are the ways to do it succinctly:

  • X highlights the need to
  • X has pointed out the challenges and strategies for
  • X raised several concerns about
  • X indicated that
  • X has demonstrated that
  • X argues/ claims/ suggests/ maintains/ concludes/ offers/ proposes
  • In their review/ major study/ analysis/ introduction to/ classic critique, X identify
  • X draws on an extensive range of sources to assess
  • X highlights the need to break the link between A and B
  • X questions whether X is the best Y for

🔍 Analytical Phrases for Contradicting Evidence

Sometimes, you can face a piece of conflicting information. There are multiple ways to place such elements into text.

  • Despite prior evidence
  • In contrast, the study conducted by X concluded that
  • However, this is contrary to a study conducted by X
  • However, X has later shown that
  • To date, there has been no agreement on
  • In the literature on X, the role of Y is debated.
  • X has already drawn attention to the paradox in
  • Debate continues about
  • Several studies have recently challenged this concept, demonstrating
  • X found out differences suggesting that

🕳️ A gap in Knowledge Analytical Phrases

Wondering how to introduce a gap in knowledge about your topic? Here are linking words for such situations.

  • There has been little discussion about
  • Few studies have been carried out on
  • Little attention has been paid to
  • It is still not known whether
  • […] much less is known about X
  • Research to date has not yet identified/ determined/ found out
  • The impact of X on Y is not clear yet
  • Causal factors leading to X remain debatable/ unreliable/ speculative
  • This claims about a need to understand the various existing angles of X
  • The problem of X has not been investigated/ considered in any of the reviewed resources
  • Prior studies have failed to evaluate/ identify/ reveal/ state

📊 Analytical Words for Data from Tables/Charts

Now let’s see how to use analytical words and phrases to describe data from tables and charts .

  • As shown in Table 1
  • Figure 1 clearly shows/ extrapolate/ presents
  • Figure A illustrates/ compares/ evidences
  • Figure A exhibits an overview of
  • Table A provides the experimental data on X
  • In this table, you can see the summary statistics for
  • This diagram demonstrated the results obtained from the preliminary analysis of X
  • The results of correlational/ comparative/ descriptive analysis are presented in Table A

📈 Analytical Words and Phrases to Describe Trends

For a more in-depth analysis of the data from your visualization, try using these academic phrases.

  • The graph shows that there has been a gradual increase in
  • The number of Xs is likely to grow after steadily
  • X peaked (reached a low) in 1993
  • The amount of X is expected to remain steady
  • The graph shows that there has been a slight/ sharp/ gradual/ steady decline/ drop/ rise/ increase in
  • What stands out/ is striking/ can be clearly seen in this table is
  • The rate of X will probably/ is likely to decline steadily

📜 Analytical Words and Phrases for Classifications and Listings

You may use classifications and listings in your text for different purposes. These are some options to include listings in the paper.

  • X may be divided into three main categories
  • This system of classification needs a revision
  • There are three main approaches currently being used in investigating X
  • The critical aspects of X can be listed as follows: A, B, and C
  • There are three reasons why the X has become so important. These are:
  • The section has been included for several reasons: it is …; it illustrates …; and it describes…
  • To better understand X’s mechanisms, the author classified it into three distinct types, based on
  • X is generally classified into two main types

↔️ Cause & Effect Analysis Words for Essays

If you are writing a cause-effect essay, this part is for you. However, not only cause-effect papers discuss causal relations.

Don’t miss our amazing Cause-Effect Essay Topics Compilation !

↪️ Concluding Words to Use in Analytical Essays

And finally, it’s time to write a good conclusion . Look at these phrases to use in your work.

  • This study set out to/ has argued that/ discussed the reasons for
  • In this paper, the aim/ goal was to assess/ to examine/ to determine
  • This study identified/ showed that
  • Another major finding was
  • These experiments confirmed that
  • A, B, and C emerged as reliable factors of
  • The findings reported in this work shed new light on
  • The study contributes to our understanding of X in multiple ways
  • This project can be seen as the first comprehensive investigation of X
  • The empirical findings in this study provide a new understanding of

Use this collection as a starting point or inspiration for your work.

Needless to say, the English language is richer and more flexible than this list. Try to find new word combinations and uncommon usages. However, don’t overplay – it’s still academic writing that requires certain formalities.

That’s all!

Check more useful resources for academic phrases below in the list of references.

Good luck 😊

🔗 References

  • Academic Phrasebank, The University of Manchester
  • Verbs in Academic Writing; The Writing Centre – University of Toronto
  • Vocabulary for Essays; The Learning Centre – The University of Sydney
  • Glossary of Research Terms; University of Southern California
  • Using Appropriate Words in an Academic Essay

Boost Your Academic Writing Skills with IvyPanda’s Free Online Course

Research paper analysis: how to analyze a research article + example.

ESLBUZZ

100+ Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay

By: Author Sophia

Posted on Last updated: October 25, 2023

Sharing is caring!

How to Write a Great Essay in English! This lesson provides 100+ useful words, transition words and expressions used in writing an essay. Let’s take a look!

The secret to a successful essay doesn’t just lie in the clever things you talk about and the way you structure your points.

Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay

Overview of an essay.

100+ Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay

Useful Phrases for Proficiency Essays

Developing the argument

  • The first aspect to point out is that…
  • Let us start by considering the facts.
  • The novel portrays, deals with, revolves around…
  • Central to the novel is…
  • The character of xxx embodies/ epitomizes…

The other side of the argument

  • It would also be interesting to see…
  • One should, nevertheless, consider the problem from another angle.
  • Equally relevant to the issue are the questions of…
  • The arguments we have presented… suggest that…/ prove that…/ would indicate that…
  • From these arguments one must…/ could…/ might… conclude that…
  • All of this points to the conclusion that…
  • To conclude…

Ordering elements

  • Firstly,…/ Secondly,…/ Finally,… (note the comma after all these introductory words.)
  • As a final point…
  • On the one hand, …. on the other hand…
  • If on the one hand it can be said that… the same is not true for…
  • The first argument suggests that… whilst the second suggests that…
  • There are at least xxx points to highlight.

Adding elements

  • Furthermore, one should not forget that…
  • In addition to…
  • Moreover…
  • It is important to add that…

Accepting other points of view

  • Nevertheless, one should accept that…
  • However, we also agree that…

Personal opinion

  • We/I personally believe that…
  • Our/My own point of view is that…
  • It is my contention that…
  • I am convinced that…
  • My own opinion is…

Others’ opinions

  • According to some critics… Critics:
  • believe that
  • suggest that
  • are convinced that
  • point out that
  • emphasize that
  • contend that
  • go as far as to say that
  • argue for this

Introducing examples

  • For example…
  • For instance…
  • To illustrate this point…

Introducing facts

  • It is… true that…/ clear that…/ noticeable that…
  • One should note here that…

Saying what you think is true

  • This leads us to believe that…
  • It is very possible that…
  • In view of these facts, it is quite likely that…
  • Doubtless,…
  • One cannot deny that…
  • It is (very) clear from these observations that…
  • All the same, it is possible that…
  • It is difficult to believe that…

Accepting other points to a certain degree

  • One can agree up to a certain point with…
  • Certainly,… However,…
  • It cannot be denied that…

Emphasizing particular points

  • The last example highlights the fact that…
  • Not only… but also…
  • We would even go so far as to say that…

Moderating, agreeing, disagreeing

  • By and large…
  • Perhaps we should also point out the fact that…
  • It would be unfair not to mention the fact that…
  • One must admit that…
  • We cannot ignore the fact that…
  • One cannot possibly accept the fact that…

Consequences

  • From these facts, one may conclude that…
  • That is why, in our opinion, …
  • Which seems to confirm the idea that…
  • Thus,…/ Therefore,…
  • Some critics suggest…, whereas others…
  • Compared to…
  • On the one hand, there is the firm belief that… On the other hand, many people are convinced that…

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 1

100+ Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay 1

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 2

100+ Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay 2

Phrases For Balanced Arguments

Introduction

  • It is often said that…
  • It is undeniable that…
  • It is a well-known fact that…
  • One of the most striking features of this text is…
  • The first thing that needs to be said is…
  • First of all, let us try to analyze…
  • One argument in support of…
  • We must distinguish carefully between…
  • The second reason for…
  • An important aspect of the text is…
  • It is worth stating at this point that…
  • On the other hand, we can observe that…
  • The other side of the coin is, however, that…
  • Another way of looking at this question is to…
  • What conclusions can be drawn from all this?
  • The most satisfactory conclusion that we can come to is…
  • To sum up… we are convinced that…/ …we believe that…/ …we have to accept that…

How to Write a Great Essay | Image 3

100+ Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay 3

  • Recent Posts
  • Plural of Process in the English Grammar - October 3, 2023
  • Best Kahoot Names: Get Creative with These Fun Ideas! - October 2, 2023
  • List of Homophones for English Learners - September 30, 2023

Related posts:

  • How to Write a Letter: A Guide to Informal and Formal English
  • How to Write Informal Letters in English (with Examples)
  • Most Commonly Used English Phrases on the Phone
  • Asking for Help, Asking for Opinions and Asking for Approval

Nur Syuhadah Zainuddin

Friday 19th of August 2022

thank u so much its really usefull

12thSeahorse

Wednesday 3rd of August 2022

He or she who masters the English language rules the world!

Friday 25th of March 2022

Thank you so so much, this helped me in my essays with A+

Theophilus Muzvidziwa

Friday 11th of March 2022

Monday 21st of February 2022

Improve your English. Speak with confidence!

  • Free Mini Course

advanced essay words

  • Posted in in Writing

30 Advanced Essay Words to Improve Your Grades

' src=

  • Posted by by Cameron Smith
  • Updated 5 months ago

In this guide, you’ll find 30 advanced essay words to use in academic writing. Advanced English words are great for making academic writing more impressive and persuasive, which has the potential to wow teachers and professors, and even improve your grades.

30 Advanced Essay Words

  • Definition: Present, appearing, or found everywhere.
  • Example: The smartphone has become ubiquitous in modern society.
  • Replaces: Common, widespread, prevalent.
  • Definition: Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
  • Example: Her eloquent speech captivated the audience.
  • Replaces: Well-spoken, articulate.
  • Definition: To make less severe, serious, or painful.
  • Example: Planting more trees can help mitigate the effects of climate change.
  • Replaces: Alleviate, lessen, reduce.
  • Definition: In contrast or opposite to what was previously mentioned.
  • Example: Some believe in climate change; conversely, others deny its existence.
  • Replaces: On the other hand, in opposition.
  • Definition: Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.
  • Example: His ostensible reason for the delay was a traffic jam.
  • Replaces: Apparent, seeming, supposed.
  • Definition: A countless or extremely great number.
  • Example: The internet offers a myriad of resources for research.
  • Replaces: Countless, numerous.
  • Definition: Exceeding what is necessary or required.
  • Example: His lengthy introduction was filled with superfluous details.
  • Replaces: Excessive, redundant.
  • Definition: To cause something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly.
  • Example: The economic crisis precipitated widespread unemployment.
  • Replaces: Trigger, prompt.
  • Definition: Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.
  • Example: The beauty of the sunset over the ocean was ineffable.
  • Replaces: Indescribable, inexpressible.
  • Definition: Having knowledge or awareness of something.
  • Example: She was cognizant of the risks involved in the project.
  • Replaces: Aware, conscious.
  • Definition: Relevant or applicable to a particular matter.
  • Example: Please provide only pertinent information in your report.
  • Replaces: Relevant, related.
  • Definition: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
  • Example: The researcher conducted a meticulous analysis of the data.
  • Replaces: Thorough, careful.
  • Definition: Capable of producing the desired result or effect.
  • Example: The medication has proved to be efficacious in treating the disease.
  • Replaces: Effective, successful.
  • Definition: Mentioned earlier in the text or conversation.
  • Example: The aforementioned study provides valuable insights.
  • Replaces: Previously mentioned, previously discussed.
  • Definition: To make a problem, situation, or condition worse.
  • Example: His criticism only served to exacerbate the conflict.
  • Replaces: Worsen, intensify.
  • Definition: The state or capacity of being everywhere, especially at the same time.
  • Example: The ubiquity of social media has changed how we communicate.
  • Replaces: Omnipresence, pervasiveness.
  • Definition: In every case or on every occasion; always.
  • Example: The professor’s lectures are invariably informative.
  • Replaces: Always, consistently.
  • Definition: To be a perfect example or representation of something.
  • Example: The city’s skyline epitomizes modern architecture.
  • Replaces: Symbolize, represent.
  • Definition: A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
  • Example: The cacophony of car horns during rush hour was deafening.
  • Replaces: Discord, noise.
  • Definition: A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important to gain advantage.
  • Example: He surrounded himself with sycophants who praised his every move.
  • Replaces: Flatterer, yes-man.
  • Definition: To render unclear, obscure, or unintelligible.
  • Example: The politician attempted to obfuscate the details of the scandal.
  • Replaces: Confuse, obscure.
  • Definition: Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment.
  • Example: Her sagacious advice guided the team to success.
  • Replaces: Wise, insightful.
  • Definition: Not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous.
  • Example: His repeated explanations were redundant and added no value.
  • Replaces: Unnecessary, surplus.
  • Definition: Unwilling or refusing to change one’s views or to agree about something.
  • Example: The intransigent negotiators couldn’t reach a compromise.
  • Replaces: Unyielding, stubborn.
  • Definition: Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.
  • Example: The mansion’s ostentatious decorations were overwhelming.
  • Replaces: Showy, extravagant.
  • Definition: A tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition.
  • Example: She had a proclivity for taking risks in her business ventures.
  • Replaces: Tendency, inclination.
  • Definition: Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.
  • Example: The artist’s enigmatic paintings left viewers puzzled.
  • Replaces: Mysterious, cryptic.
  • Definition: Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
  • Example: The pernicious influence of gossip can damage reputations.
  • Replaces: Harmful, destructive.
  • Definition: Shining with great brightness.
  • Example: The bride looked resplendent in her wedding gown.
  • Replaces: Radiant, splendid.
  • Definition: Optimistic, especially in a difficult or challenging situation.
  • Example: Despite the setbacks, he remained sanguine.
  • Replaces: Optimistic, hopeful.

Using these advanced words in your essays can elevate your writing, making it more precise, engaging, and impactful.

As you work on your essays, consider the nuanced meanings and applications of these advanced words, and use them judiciously to enhance the quality of your academic writing.

' src=

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith is an English Communication Coach based in Vancouver, Canada. He's the founder of Learn English Every Day, and he's on a mission to help millions of people speak English with confidence. If you want longer video content, please follow me on YouTube for fun English lessons and helpful learning resources!

Post navigation

Small Talk Questions for Everyday Conversations

  • Posted in in ESL Conversation Questions

170 Small Talk Questions to Start a Conversation with Anyone

  • September 12, 2023

Business Idioms in English

  • Posted in in Business English

60 Essential Business Idioms: Sound Fluent at Work!

  • October 14, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

SHSG English

Useful vocabulary and phrasing for essays

You should be comfortable using all of the words and phrases on this page if you want to be able to write sophisticated and well-expressed essays., useful verbs for essays.

These are not the only verbs you’ll need for essays, obviously, and some more common ones have been omitted to keep the page shorter (e.g. presents, suggests, implies ), but they’re all words you should understand and use when required.

advocate - ‘publicly recommend or support’. This is useful for talking about a writer’s didactic purpose in a text. For example : This further conveys the importance of collective responsibility, an idea that Priestley advocates throughout ‘An Inspector Calls’.

compound - ‘make (something bad) worse; intensify the negative aspects of’. Useful for when you want to describe the effect of some evidence on the reader or audience, providing that effect is negative. For example : This helps to compound the reader’s dislike of Scrooge.

echo - ‘be reminiscent of or have shared characteristics with’. Useful for when you want to say something is like something else, without it being repetition. For example : Lady Macbeth’s words echo many of thing things she said earlier in the play, showing how much… etc.

emphasise - ‘give special importance or value to’. Useful for the analysis of methods. Very often writers use methods to emphasise an aspect of the meaning that is expressed in the broader text. For example : Golding personifies the pig to emphasise how horrific this moment is for Jack. For him it is… etc

encourage - ‘persuade (someone) to do or continue to do something by giving support and advice’. Useful for writing about a writer’s intentions for their audience. For example : Dickens highlights the suffering of the poor to encourage his readers to act with more charity and compassion.

establish - ‘initiate or bring about’. Useful for writing about the start of a text, when characters and themes are being introduced to the reader/audience. For example : Priestley establishes Birling as a man deeply concerned with social class and social status.

explore - ‘inquire into or discuss (something) in detail’. Useful for introducing an idea that is featured in a text, especially when the text doesn’t necessarily have a clear didactic message about that idea. For example : Both poems explore the after-effects of love gone wrong.

reflect - ‘embody or represent (something) in a faithful or appropriate way’. Useful for writing about the effect of methods, especially the effect of sound techniques and aspects of form in poetry. For example : The regularity of the rhyme scheme may reflect the calmness of the speaker.

reinforce - ‘strengthen or support (an object or substance), especially with additional material’. A useful alternative to ‘emphasise’ as a way to describe the effect of something. This is especially useful for including later on in a paragraph. For example: The natural imagery used in this metaphor reinforces the idea that growing up is natural and inevitable.

represent - ‘depict (something) in a work of art’. Useful for showing that you understand that characters are used to represent certain types of people and attitudes in literary texts. For example : This characterization of Birling is important because, throughout the play, he is used to represent the individualistic attitudes which Priestley is trying to undermine.

Useful phrases for essays

This can be seen most clearly when … Useful for introducing the evidence in a paragraph about a longer literary text. It shows your example is not the only place that your point is evident, but that it is the best place, in your view. For example: This can be seen most clearly when Sheila gives Gerald back the engagement ring. She says that… etc.

Here, … Useful for starting your analysis and explaining what you are trying to show in your evidence. For example: Here , not only does Birling continue to deny any responsibility for Eva’s death, but… etc. This analysis opening is also really useful for jumping straight into some analysis of methods. For example: Here, Miller uses a powerful metaphor to convey Proctor’s horror at… etc.

… to describe … Useful for putting methods in context and explaining how the method is being used. For example: Dickens uses a long list to describe the different things happening at the fair. This creates the impression that… etc.

… , according to [Writer], … Useful for tying your discussion of ideas back to the writer and their intentions, while acknowledging that what you’re saying is not necessarily a fact. For example: Socialism is, according to Priestley , the solution to the suffering of the working class.

For [Writer], … Useful for introducing a discussion of the writer’s views and intentions. For example: For Dickens, Christmas represents all that is good about mankind: it’s when we are our best selves.

[Writer] uses [character] to convey his/her ideas about… Useful for transitioning from the discussion of a character to the discussion of ideas; it shows that you understand the text as a conscious construct. For example: In the extract, Golding uses Jack to convey his ideas about civilisation. It can have a powerful hold over people… etc.

[Writer] has [character] say/use/etc… This is useful to turn a bit of discussion of plot into some simple analysis of a method by showing that you’re aware that characters are constructs, invented by writers. So, instead of saying John Proctor secretly adds extra salt to the stew you can use this phrasing: Arthur Miller has John Proctor secretly add extra salt to the stew to convey…etc

[Writer], on the other hand, suggests that … Useful for comparison essays, especially in the introduction or conclusion, when you want to convey a difference between the two texts you are comparing. For example: Hardy, on the other hand, suggests that one failed relationship can become a kind of template for all future relationships.

Here, [Writer] introduces a note of … Useful for writing about the general mood of a text in your analysis, especially in poetry, where the mood can change suddenly but subtly. For example: Here, Dooley introduces a note of acceptance, though one tinged with regret. It is as if… etc

At this time, … Useful for introducing some discussion of the historical context of a text. For example: At this time, defying the government would have been especially brave because… etc

Words to use when hedging

Hedging (‘to limit or qualify (something) by conditions or exceptions’) is essential for sophisticated essay-writing. It allows you to be bold and daring with your analysis, while admitting that your interpretation could be wrong, which is totally fine, providing you hedge.

arguably - useful for acknowledging that you recognise that not everyone agrees with a particular interpretation. For example: Lady Macbeth is Macbeth’s wife and, arguably , his chief corruptor.

can - useful when discussing ideas about people and society. It allows you to convey that a writer/text is not saying that all people are like this, merely that some people are, sometimes. For example: This suggests that the desire for power can have a very corruptive influence on people.

may - useful when discussing the intentions of a writer. It allows you to show that you don’t know for sure what they were saying, since you’ve never asked them, but that this is one possibility. For example: Armitage may be suggesting that some mothers find it difficult to let go of their children. Also good for more speculative analysis of language techniques, especially form. For example: The regularity of the rhyme scheme may reflect the calmness of the speaker.

perhaps - useful for inserting mid-sentence to add a bit of uncertainty to your assertions. For example: This is perhaps because Priestley does not want to vilify all upper-class people and instead wants to… etc.

Useful connectives

furthermore / moreover - these two words are essentially synonymous. They’re useful for developing a piece of analysis, adding more effects for a method. For example: Furthermore , the metaphor creates a sense of threat; the teacher is not just mean but dangerous. It is as if… etc.

however - useful for introducing a contrast. It’s best when embedded in a sentence, rather than used instead of ‘but’. For example: The “slow-stepping” could be seen as hesitant, however , reflecting a hesitancy on the part of the couple to fully commit to moving on from their difficulties.

nevertheless - useful for drawing a line under detailed analysis and bringing things back to your broader point. For example: Nevertheless , there is still considerably more hope than in Hardy’s poem.

whereas - useful for comparison. For example: Duffy’s poem looks at motherhood whereas Heaney’s poem looks at fatherhood.

while - useful for comparison. For example: While the difficulties in Hardy’s poem have killed the relationship entirely, there is still hope for the couple in Sheers’ poem.

Some other useful essay words

ambiguous - ‘open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning’. Useful for talking about poetry in particular. For example: These lines are ambiguous . They could mean… etc

ambivalent - ‘having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone’. Useful for writing about characters’ attitudes and feelings. For example: These lines suggest Macbeth is ambivalent about the battle: he’s happy to have won, but also sad about the lives lost.

sympathetic - ‘(of a person) attracting the liking of others’. Useful for describing characters. For example: Sheila is presented as a much more sympathetic character than her father.

traditional - ‘as part of a long-established custom, practice, or belief’. Also : traditionally. Generally, a more accurate word than ‘stereotypical’, which has negative connotations and is anachronistic (‘belonging to a period other than that being portrayed’) when discussing older texts. For example: Bravery is a traditionally masculine trait.

Useful vocabulary for writing about humans

English Tutor Lessons

English tuition year 12.

English Tutor Lessons

Sentence Starters & Other Useful Words for Analytical Essays

This resource is for mainstream english year 12 students writing analytical essays for reading and responding to texts aos1 units 3 & 4 in the sac and vce english exam section a., it is a good idea to vary the type of words you use to write an analytical essay for section a in the vce english exam. below are helpful ways to introduce your essays, body paragraphs, conclusions and other alternative words so that your essay flows with a higher level metalanguage., all resources created by englishtutorlessons.com.au online tutoring using zoom for mainstream english students in the victorian vce curriculum, leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

IMAGES

  1. 152 Analysis Verbs (2024)

    analysis essay words

  2. an image of some words that are in the same language and have different meaningss

    analysis essay words

  3. FREE 7+ Analysis Essay Examples in PDF

    analysis essay words

  4. Expand Your Essay Writing Skills with Essential Vocabulary

    analysis essay words

  5. Analysis Essay Example sample, Bookwormlab

    analysis essay words

  6. FREE 7+ Analysis Essay Examples in PDF

    analysis essay words

COMMENTS

  1. 50 Verbs of Analysis for English Academic Essays

    Do you know how to do this effectively, while using the appropriate verbs of analysis? This list of 50 verbs of analysis in English will help you. Note: this list is for advanced English learners (CEFR level B2 or above). All definitions are from the Cambridge Dictionary online. 50 Verbs of Analysis for English Academic Essays Affects

  2. 152 Analysis Verbs (2024) - Helpful Professor

    Sep 10, 2023 · Use analysis verbs as a way of demonstrating your mastery of a topic. But instead of simply using the same verb over and over again, try to mix up your use of analysis verbs to convey the most precise meaning you can in each context. Below are over 150 examples of analysis verbs that you can use. Make sure you choose wisely for your situation.

  3. 40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays

    2. In other words. Usage: Use “in other words” when you want to express something in a different way (more simply), to make it easier to understand, or to emphasise or expand on a point. Example: “Frogs are amphibians. In other words, they live on the land and in the water.” 3. To put it another way

  4. Analysis Phrases & Words to Use in Analytical Paragraph ...

    Feb 13, 2024 · This diagram demonstrated the results obtained from the preliminary analysis of X; The results of correlational/ comparative/ descriptive analysis are presented in Table A; 📈 Analytical Words and Phrases to Describe Trends. For a more in-depth analysis of the data from your visualization, try using these academic phrases.

  5. 100+ Useful Words and Phrases to Write a Great Essay

    Oct 25, 2023 · How to Write a Great Essay in English! This lesson provides 100+ useful words, transition words and expressions used in writing an essay. Let’s take a look! The secret to a successful essay doesn’t just lie in the clever things you talk about and the way you structure your points.

  6. 122 Examples of Analysis Verbs - Simplicable

    Mar 25, 2024 · Analysis verbs are words used to describe analysis actions such as measurement, evaluation, comparison, classification, inference, predictions, validation and hypothesis testing. Discussion Analysis verbs are used to both explain your own arguments and those of your sources.

  7. 30 Advanced Essay Words to Improve Your Grades

    Sep 13, 2023 · Use these advanced essay words to improve your essays and sound more persuasive in writing. In this guide, you’ll find 30 advanced essay words to use in academic writing. Advanced English words are great for making academic writing more impressive and persuasive, which has the potential to wow teachers and professors, and even improve your ...

  8. Powerful Verbs for Essays - Chandler Unified School District

    For each word chosen, you will need to use your assigned Major Literary Analysis text. You do not need to locate the word inside of the text; instead, use the word to help explain the plot line, characterization, themes, motifs, etc. of your work. Use the following example below to guide you. Example + Vocab Word + Explanation or Significance

  9. Useful vocabulary and phrasing for essays — SHSG English

    Useful for when you want to say something is like something else, without it being repetition. For example: Lady Macbeth’s words echo many of thing things she said earlier in the play, showing how much… etc. emphasise - ‘give special importance or value to’. Useful for the analysis of methods.

  10. Sentence Starters & Other Useful Words for Analytical Essays

    Sep 15, 2024 · This Resource is for Mainstream English Year 12 Students writing Analytical Essays for Reading and Responding to Texts AOS1 Units 3 & 4 in the SAC and VCE English Exam Section A. It is a good idea to vary the type of words you use to write an analytical essay for Section A in the VCE English Exam.