This tool helps you elevate your analytical writing. Use the list of strong verbs to practice writing your own analytical sentences. When you are finished, click the "Analyse Text" button to identify passive voice, basic vocabulary, and unnecessary "filler" words.
For each example, write your own analytical sentence about a text you are studying, using the highlighted verb.
Demonstrates – Although Macbeth appears noble, Shakespeare demonstrates how ambition corrodes integrity.
Highlights – In moments of dramatic irony, the text highlights the audience’s superior knowledge.
Reveals – As the tragedy unfolds, Shakespeare reveals the dangers of obsession.
Suggests – Through symbolic imagery, the soliloquy suggests Hamlet’s paralysis in action.
Emphasises – While Desdemona pleads for her life, the dialogue emphasises her innocence.
Illustrates – Amid violent conflict, the play illustrates the futility of revenge.
Symbolises – Under cover of darkness, the setting symbolises secrecy and betrayal.
Represents – Against the backdrop of war, the chorus represents the voice of collective fear.
Conveys – In a shifting tone, the playwright conveys Macbeth’s moral collapse.
Exposes – During Iago’s asides, the structure exposes his hidden malice.
Explores – While contrasting characters, Shakespeare explores the tension between fate and choice.
Challenges – Instead of reinforcing stereotypes, the play challenges patriarchal authority.
Contrasts – Across parallel scenes, the text contrasts love with lust.
Depicts – Within Desdemona’s final words, Shakespeare depicts grace under pressure.
Undermines – By twisting language, Iago undermines Othello’s trust in Desdemona.
Portrays – Amid cascading violence, the imagery portrays blood as both guilt and destiny.
Affirms – Despite tragic outcomes, the narrative affirms the enduring value of loyalty.
Establishes – From its opening thunder, the play establishes a mood of unrest.
Positions – Through careful framing, the playwright positions the audience to sympathise with Macbeth.
Reinforces – Across recurring motifs, Shakespeare reinforces the inevitability of fate.
Your highlighted text will appear below. Browsers with built-in grammar checking may also flag issues here.
The Problem: Passive voice often makes your writing sound weak, indirect, and wordy. It hides the agent (the one doing the action). Analytical writing should be direct and confident. Active voice puts the agent first (e.g., "Shakespeare reveals...") which is more authoritative.
Before: The audience is shown the corrupting nature of power.
After: Shakespeare reveals the corrupting nature of power.
The Problem: Words like "shows," "says," "good," or "bad" are too vague for senior-level analysis. They don't explain *how* the author is creating meaning. Aim for precision. Instead of saying the text "shows" something, ask yourself *how* it does so. Does it *imply*, *suggest*, *critique*, or *reinforce*?
Before: The poem shows the character is very sad.
After: The poem's melancholic imagery conveys the character's profound despair.
The Problem: Stop words are common "glue" words like "the," "a," "in," "of," and "that." While essential, overusing them can lead to wordy and clunky sentences that dilute your main point. Highlighting them helps you see if you can rephrase your sentences to be more concise and impactful.
Before: It is clear that the purpose of the text is to give a warning to the reader about the dangers of hubris.
After: The text clearly warns readers against the dangers of hubris.