Rhetorically Active Verbs

Front 1

Alludes to

Back 1

suggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at

Front 2

Analyzes

Back 2

examine methodically and in detail the constitution or structure of (something, esp. information)

Front 3

Asserts

Back 3

state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully

Front 4

Categorizes

Back 4

place in a particular class or group

Front 5

Charges

Back 5

accuse (someone) of something, esp. an offense under law

Front 6

Cite

Back 6

quote (a passage, book, or author) as evidence for or justification of an argument or statement, esp. in a scholarly work

Front 7

Contrast

Back 7

compare in such a way as to emphasize differences

Front 8

Compare

Back 8

estimate, measure, or note the similarity or dissimilarity between

Front 9

Define

Back 9

state or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of

Front 10

Describe

Back 10

give an account in words of (someone or something), including all the relevant characteristics, qualities, or events

Front 11

Discredit

Back 11

harm the good reputation of (someone or something)

Front 12

Enumerate

Back 12

mention (a number of things) one by one

Front 13

Expand

Back 13

become or make larger or more extensive

Front 14

Highlight

Back 14

pick out and emphasize

Front 15

Illustrate

Back 15

explain or make (something) clear by using examples, charts, pictures, etc.

Front 16

Insist

Back 16

demand something forcefully, not accepting refusal

Front 17

Introduce

Back 17

bring a subject to the attention of (someone) for the first time

Front 18

List

Back 18

make a list of

Front 19

Negate

Back 19

nullify; make ineffective; deny the existence of (something)

Front 20

Narrate

Back 20

give a spoken or written account of events

Front 21

Overstate

Back 21

express or state too strongly; exaggerate

Front 22

Paraphrase

Back 22

express the meaning of (the writer or speaker or something written or spoken) using different words, esp. to achieve greater clarity

Front 23

Praise

Back 23

express warm approval or admiration of

Front 24

Propose

Back 24

put forward (an idea or plan) for consideration or discussion by others

Front 25

Qualify

Back 25

make (a statement or assertion) less absolute; add reservations to

Front 26

Question

Back 26

feel or express doubt about; raise objections to

Front 27

Refer to

Back 27

mention or allude to

Front 28

Refute

Back 28

prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; disprove

Front 29

Reinforce

Back 29

strengthen or support, esp. with additional personnel or material

Front 30

Signal a transition

Back 30

point out a change from one point to another

Front 31

Support

Back 31

approve of and encourage

Front 32

Trace

Back 32

find or describe the origin or development of; follow or mark the course or position of (something) with one's eye, mind, or finger

Front 33

Undermine

Back 33

erode the base or foundation of (a rock formation)

Front 34

Understate

Back 34

describe or represent (something) as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is

Front 35

Urge

Back 35

try earnestly or persistently to persuade (someone) to do something