AQA GCSE English Language: Reading and Comprehension: Writing about extracts: Paper 2 Section B

Criticises

To express a judgement of a character, theme, plot point or idea

Rebuke

To express sharp disapproval

Admonishes

To give a warning or caution to something

Chastises

To punish and reprimand harshly

Lambasts

Criticises something very harshly

Demonise

Portray as threatening. This would be perfect when describing a villainous character

Condemn

To express disapproval of something

Questions

Makes you consider something else

Disputes

Questions whether a statement is true or valid or goes against it

Refute

Proves a statement to be wrong

Challenges

A call to prove or justify something

Exposes

Shows something that is usually covered or hidden

Provokes

To start a feeling or emotion, or to get someone to do something

Ridicules

To make fun of

Trivialise

To make something seem less important than it really is

Satirise

To criticise by the means of satire (humour and irony)

Derides

To mock (synonym for ridicule)

Pillories

To criticise harshly or violently

Parodies

To imitate something in an exaggerated way

Celebrates

To give praise to something

Commemorates

To serve as a reminder of

Honours

To have great respect and admiration for somebody

Acknowledges

To accept or admit the existence or truth of an idea/character.

Idealises

To regard and represent something as perfect

Elevates

To raise to a higher level; improves

Glorify

To make something seem better than it actually is and honour something

Subverts

Undermines the power and authority of (an established system or institution)

Undermines

To weaken something

Modifies

To change an idea, concept or perception of something

Accepts

To give consent to something

Embraces

To accept something willingly and enthusiastically

Reaffirms

To state again as a fact

Internalises

To make something part of one's nature

Externalises

To express a thought or feelings in words or actions

Alludes to (the audience/an idea)

Makes reference to something else that the reader can understand.

Addresses

States an issue directly

Characterises

Comments on features and a personality to something

Connotes

Comments on a words implicit meaning to create a tone or mood.

Clarifies

Add detail to an unclear point.

Conveys

Shows/carries an idea

Demonstrates

Presents a clear idea to an audience

Depicts

Presents something in a certain way

Emphasises

Using a feature to make sure something isn't missed

Evokes

Creates a feeling or thought in the reader

Exaggerates

Overemphasises something to the reader

Exemplifies

Serves as an ideal example of something

Foreshadows

Hints that something will happen later

Highlights

Makes a point clear and draws attention to it

Illustrates

The audience understand something in detail

Implies

Leads the audience to an idea - it isn't clear.

Juxtaposes

Brings out the contrast o opposites in something

Minimises

Makes a point less important or less obvious.

Refutes

Denies or goes against the point or argument that has been made.

Reinforces

Repeats or uses additional features to make a point clear.

Reveals

Slowly shows something to the reader

Signifies

Represents a bigger idea or meaning

Suggests

Make someone think that a particular thing is true

Underscores

Repeats or reminds the reader to a previous point