IB English A Literature: Verbs for Literary Analysis

Words that will ultimately help you score higher marks in the IB Paper 1 and Paper 2

Accentuates

To make more noticeable or prominent, often by highlighting specific elements or themes in a literary work.

Assumes

Bases

To establish a foundation or starting point for arguments, interpretations, or conclusions in literary analysis.

Compels

Contests

To challenge or argue against an interpretation, idea, or perspective in a literary work.

Discovers

To find or uncover new meanings, themes, or interpretations within a literary text.

Distinguishes

To recognize or point out differences between characters, themes, or literary elements in a text.

Elicits

To draw out or evoke responses, emotions, or thoughts from the reader or audience in a literary analysis.

Enumerates

To list or itemize elements or ideas within a literary text, highlighting their significance.

Fantasizes

To imagine or create scenarios that are not grounded in reality, often reflecting a character's desires or fears in literature.

Generalizes

To make broad statements or conclusions based on specific examples in a literary context, often simplifying the complexity of the text.

Infers

To draw conclusions or make interpretations based on evidence and reasoning within a text.

Inundates

Lampoons

To publicly criticize or ridicule someone or something, often using humor or satire, in a literary context.

Manipulates

To control or influence a character or situation in a text to achieve a desired effect or meaning.

Patronizes

To treat someone in a condescending manner, often by pretending to be helpful or supportive, within a literary work.

Ponders

To think deeply or consider thoughtfully, often reflecting on themes or ideas in a literary text.

Reflects

To show or express thoughts, feelings, or themes, often revealing deeper meanings within a literary work.

Alleviates

To make a problem or suffering less severe, often highlighted in character development or thematic exploration in literature.

Chronicles

To record or narrate events in order, often providing a historical context or detailed account in a literary work.

Defies

To openly resist or challenge authority, norms, or expectations, often showcasing characters' struggles against societal conventions in literature.

Distorts

To manipulate the truth or facts, creating a misleading representation of events or characters in a narrative.

Envisions

To imagine or visualize scenarios, themes, or characters in a literary context, often revealing deeper meanings or authorial intent.

Impels

To drive or force characters to act in a certain way, often reflecting their motivations or the themes of urgency in a narrative.

Vacillates

To waver between different courses of action, emotions, or opinions, often reflecting internal conflict or uncertainty in a character's decision-making.

Confronts

To face or deal with issues, challenges, or adversities directly, often leading to character development or thematic exploration.

Downplays

To minimize or de-emphasize the significance of events, feelings, or situations, often indicating a character's struggle with reality or a desire to avoid conflict.

Evokes

To bring to mind or illustrate feelings, memories, or images, often enhancing the emotional depth or thematic resonance of a literary work.

Heightens

To intensify or amplify elements such as tension, emotions, or themes, enhancing the overall impact of a literary work.

Identifies

To recognize or establish the presence of a concept, theme, or character within a literary work, often revealing deeper meanings or connections.

Juxtaposes

To place two or more elements side by side for comparison or contrast, often highlighting their differences or relationships within the context of a literary work.

Moralizes

To convey a moral lesson or ethical message through the narrative or characters, guiding the reader's understanding of right and wrong.

Postulates

To suggest or assume the existence of a concept or theory as a basis for reasoning or discussion in literary analysis.

Alludes

To make an indirect reference to a person, place, event, or literary work, enriching the text's meaning and context.

Ascertains

To determine or establish the truth, validity, or meaning of a concept, often through textual evidence or analysis in literary critique.

Conveys

To communicate or express an idea, feeling, or meaning through words, images, or actions in literary analysis.

Dramatizes

To present a narrative or situation in a dramatic manner, often highlighting emotions or conflicts for effect in literary analysis.

Foreshadows

To hint at or suggest future events or outcomes in a narrative, creating anticipation or tension in literary analysis.

Personifies

To give human qualities or attributes to non-human entities or abstract concepts, enhancing their relatability and emotional impact in literary analysis.

Rationalizes

To provide reasons or explanations for actions or decisions, often to make them appear more acceptable or justifiable in literary analysis.

Ridicules

To mock or belittle someone or something, often highlighting absurdities or shortcomings in a satirical manner within literary analysis.

Advocates

To support or promote a particular cause, idea, or perspective, often aiming to persuade others in literary analysis.

Condescends

To behave in a patronizing manner, treating others as inferior, often revealing disparities in power dynamics within literary analysis.

Characterizes

To describe the distinctive qualities or traits of a character, theme, or element in a literary work, often revealing deeper insights in literary analysis.

Enriches

To improve or enhance the quality or depth of a literary work, often adding complexity to themes or character development.

Extrapolates

To draw conclusions or infer broader implications from specific details or evidence in a literary text, enhancing understanding and interpretation.

Illuminates

To make clear or clarify elements within a literary work, shedding light on themes, characters, or events, thus enhancing the reader's understanding.

Laments

To express sorrow, regret, or mourning, often reflecting on loss or hardship within a literary context, adding emotional depth to the work.

Satirizes

To use humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock individuals, societal norms, or political issues in a literary text, often to provoke thought or change.

Speculates

To form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence, often exploring possibilities and uncertainties in a literary context, encouraging critical thinking.