Useful phrases for text analysis and literary appreciation
Begin with these simple expressions:
the writer/ poet/ novelist/etc ... :
- is aiming at (sth or verb+ing form)
- wants to achieve the purpose of
- wants to produce the effect that …
- wants to contrast sth with sth else
- arouses the reader's emotions (feelings/ interest)
- evokes the attitude of …
- focuses the reader' s attention on …
- expects the reader to (infinitive)
- wants to produce the effect that
- appeals to the reader's senses/ feelings/ emotions/ reason
a word/ a phrase/ ….
- is a clue to the message of the poem
- is a clue to the poet's intention
- is a means to gain strength and freshness of expression
- is a device to underline ( emphasize/ stress) sth
the idea/ topic/ subject is
- presented
- introduced
- expressed
- developed
- restated
- illustrated
- summed up
- summarized
the title
- suggests/ indicates
the poem/ story/ extract
- achieves coherence by
- establishes unity by
- brings about the effect
- is divided into
the rhythm
- adds to the musical quality of the poem
- makes the lines run more quickly/ slowly
- affects the poem as a whole
- is based on
Here you will find more phrases and words which help you for a better examination.
THE TEXT
2. This text can be classified as ...
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3. The text
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deals with
treats
concerns itself with
presents
4. The title already
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an extremely topical subject.
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indicates
gives a clue as to
the subject.
5. The aim of the text is as follows:
6. This events in the text
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are factually true.
refer to the real world.
are invented.
7. The author seeks to judge the text
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objectively
subjectively
8. The author
gives his own opinion on ...
takes sides with .../sides with
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remains neutral
9. The text contains a subjective
10. The author
11. The story
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concerning ...
regarding ...
as to ...
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element.
evaluation.
comment.
| seeks to |
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convince the reader.
make a point.
establish a viewpoint.
is constructed around a single theme.
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is confined to one setting.
involves only a few characters.
is restricted to one central aspect.
12. to stress/point out/lay emphasis on/emphasize
13. to illustrate with examples
14. to give reasons
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15. A closer examination
16. to
17. to
| reveals |
| shows |
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return to
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analyse a text
take up
examine
for
against
that ...
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another subject
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from several
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standpoints
angles
| pinpoint |
study
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| centre on |
18. to
different aspects of the text
CHARACTERS
1. to
reveal
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uncover
disclose
2. to depict the
individual features of a character
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main
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prominent
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features of a person
3. The narrator describes the dominant
4. Durring the course of the
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characteristics
features
traits
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of a character.
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the character undergoes a development/change.
5. The character remains essentially unchanged.
6. The character changes his attitude.
7. to
us
telling
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employ
showing |
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as a mode of characterization
8. The narrator presents his characters
9. The narrator
10. to give a
11. to convey a
gives
a rough
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presents
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| faithful |
| realistic |
| detailed |
sketch
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description
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description
characterization
of s.o.'s character.
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of s.o.
vivid
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impressive
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portrayal of ...
12. to
| describe |
| picture |
a character realistically
13. to
portray
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characterize
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s.o. with attention to detail
14. The description
15. to
| presents |
| includes |
| contains |
| give |
| supply |
| convey |
many details.
an impression
16. to point out the characteristics of s.o.
17. to characterize a person as
18. to
| present |
| provide |
a portrait of a person
19. to caricature a person
20. to present a stereotyped person
21. to give a detailed analysis of s.o.
22. The narrator is particularly interested in the psychology of a character
23. In this description the narrator intends to convey the impression that.
24. The narrator
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gives
provides
presents
some typical details.
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25. An essential component of his character is ...
POINT OF VIEW
1. The narrator
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views ... from a distance.
stands back from the action and observers.
remains outside the plot, merely observing
2. His lack of involvement permits the narrator to maintain an analytical stance.
3. The narrator describes the action and characters objectively.
4. the story is narrated in the third person, and the narrator never surfaces.
5. There is no interference by the narrator throughout the next.
6. The narrator
7. The narrator
8. The narrator
is not involved explicitly.
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is a thinly-sketched characters on the edge of the story.
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plays a more active role in
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intervenes in
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pronounces judgement on
takes part in
is involved in
is one of
cannot escape from
the text.
...
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9. The narrator is a central character in the story.
10. The story is told from the narrator's angle.
11. The fact that he is involved results in the narration being biased and slanted .
12. As the narrator participates in the plot his views are committed (=here: limited).
13. He describes the event from the point of view of ...
14.The narrator's attitude towards his/her material is ...
15. The events are viewed from a subjective angle/perspective.
16. The description is
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restricted
limited
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to ...
17. The narrator's relation to the text is confined to ...
18. His views are as subjective as those of the others.
19. The narrator
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intends
wants
seeks
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20. The narrator's introductory remarks also
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the reader.
include
deal with
refer to
21. The points of view in the text shift from character to character.
22. The intention of this narrative approach is ...
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