Rhetorically Accurate Verbs Master List

A complete set of 80 practice flashcards identifying and defining rhetorically accurate verbs organized into categories such as context, support, repetition, and storytelling.

Rhetorically accurate verbs (RAVs)

Verbs that describe moves made by a writer/speaker and allow you to write about what a writer/speaker is “doing” in the most precise way possible.

pose

to set forth or offer for attention or consideration

introduce

To make (something) known to the reader

suggest

To convey an idea indirectly

imply

To express an idea indirectly

indicate

To point toward something without saying it directly

insinuate

To express an idea indirectly

emphasize

to give special importance or attention to something in speaking or writing

highlight

to center attention on something

feature

to give special prominence to something

focus on

to pay particular attention to something

point out

to direct attention toward something (in order to create awareness of a fact or circumstance)

call attention to

to direct attention toward something

spotlight

To direct attention toward something

stress

To emphasize something

underscore

To emphasize something

contextualize

To consider something together with the situation, events, or information related to it, rather than alone

provide background

To give background information on a topic

claim

To state that something is true

assert

To say that something is certainly true

contend

To state that something is true or a fact

support

to defend the truth or validity of something

demonstrate (support)

to clearly show the existence or truth of something by providing evidence

substantiate

To provide evidence to support the truth of something

corroborate

To support a claim with evidence

reinforce

To make something stronger

confirm

To prove that an opinion is true

provide

to supply or make (an example, anecdote, etc) available to the reader

list

to make a list of a series of things

enumerate

to specify things one after another; to list things

illustrate

to make something clear by providing examples

present

To show something to the reader

offer

To present something to the reader

explain

to make something clear or easy to understand by describing or giving information about it

convey

make something known or understandable to someone; to communicate an idea

elucidate

To make something more clear

demonstrate (clarify)

To show or make something clear

elaborate

to add more information, detail, or explanation about something

develop

To elaborate and advance your explanation about something

expand upon

To give more details about something

raise

To bring [an opposing point] to the reader’s attention

acknowledge

accept or admit the existence or truth of something

address

to give attention to or deal with something

admit

to reluctantly confess that something is true

concede

to acknowledge grudgingly or hesitantly

entertain

to give attention or consideration to something

respond

to say something in reply to something else (an opposing argument)

refute

To respond to and overcome an opposing point

counter

to respond in opposition to something

reiterate

To say something again

repeat

To say something again

remind

To make someone think of something they (might) have forgotten

add

to put something in

include

to contain something as a part

narrate

To tell a story

recount

To describe how something happened or tell a story

give an account of

To tell a narrative about someone or something to someone

examine

to consider a person or thing carefully and in detail in order to discover something about them

explore

to think or talk about something in order to find out more about it

consider

to spend time thinking [talking] about a possibility or making a decision

analyze

to study or examine something in detail, in order to discover more about it

minimize

to treat or describe something as less important than it is

tone down

to reduce the importance or impact of something; to make something less severe, offensive, or shocking

discount

to leave something out or disregard something

ignore

to fail to consider or notice something; to disregard something intentionally

disregard

To ignore something

celebrate

to express admiration and approval for something or someone

compliment

to expresses approval, admiration, or respect for something or someone

praise

to express admiration or approval of the achievements or characteristics of a person or thing

critique

to give an opinion or judgment about something (especially a negative opinion)

disparage

to criticize someone or something in a way that shows you do not respect or value it

criticize

to express disapproval of someone or something

equate

to consider one thing to be the same as or equal to another thing

compare

to judge, suggest, or consider that something is similar or of equal quality to something else / to examine or look at the differences between two things

distinguish between

to point out the difference between two things

contrasts

to compare two people or things in order to show the differences between them

characterize

to describe something by stating its main qualities

describe

to say or write what someone or something is like

depict

to represent or show something in a picture or story

portray

to represent or describe someone or something in a painting, film, book, or other artistic work