Useful Verbs for Literary Analysis
Instead of “uses”:
 makes use of
 employs
 puts to use
 utilizes
 takes advantage of
Instead of “shows” (depending on appropriateness):
 demonstrates
 illustrates
 expresses
 depicts
 portrays
 highlights
 elucidates
 clarifies
 stresses
 pinpoints
 conveys
 echoes
 reflects
 suggests
 reveals
 projects
 indicates
 pictures
 brings to mind
 sketches
 emphasizes
 stresses
 insists