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Verb Choice � Excellent Verb Choice allows the writer to be precise and to clearly express his/her ideas. � Verb Choice Pitfalls: ◦ I. Avoid repetition of verbs ◦ II. Check for connotations of verb choice. ◦ III. Choose strong verbs over weak verbs.

I. Avoid, Avoid Repeating Verbs… � Avoid repeating verbs Example: Teng (2012) states that the advent of nanotechnology will revolutionize the global market. Teng (2012) also states that…. Furthermore, he states…. � Add variation to your word choice. Click here.

II. Interchangeability of Verbs � Some verbs can be used interchangeably. ◦ Example A: “He notified us that…” ◦ Example B: “He informed us that… ” � Watch for very subtle semantic differences in “so-called” synonyms. ◦ Example A: “She reviewed the article…” ◦ Example B: “She criticized the article…” ◦ Example C: “She critiqued the article…”

III. Weak Verbs vs. Strong Verbs � Weak verbs are less direct and show uncertainty. � Strong verbs create a stronger and specific semantic effect than general verbs. � For strong arguments, use effective and direct verbs to sound more firm and authoritative. ◦ Weak Example: “Smith (2010) seems to question the findings of Johnson (2009) work. ◦ Stronger Example: “Smith (2010) refutes the validity of Johnson (2009) work.

Activity 2: Finding Weak and Strong Verbs (10 minutes) � Open one article you chose for your literature review. � Identify two reporting verbs. Identify whether each verb was strong or weak, identify what each verb means, and provide a synonym (with a similar connotation).

Activity 2 Reporting Verb (Choose Two) Subject and verb Davis (2012) discredits… Identify the Provide a Brief word as a Definition Strong Verb/Weak Verb Strong Synonym with Similar Connotation Discredits. Davis (2012) Harms/ruins the disproves… reputation of

Distinguishing Verbs

Avoiding Pitfalls � Avoid pitfalls by “distinguishing” the type of information you want to share. � The type of information you want to share will determine the type of verb you should use. � There are two types of information: factive and non-factive. ◦ Factive information is based on facts/substantiated information. ◦ Non-Factive is based on doubts and unsupported information.

How to Distinguish Semantically Similar (But Different) Words. � Sometimes words have similar meanings, but different connotations. Example A: Li (2009) suggests that the findings of Mancuso (2008) were both valid and timely. Example B: Li (2009) asserts the findings of Mancuso (2008) were both valid and timely.

Types of Distinguishing Verbs Factive (Facts) Non-Factive (Doubts) Defined Fact-Based vs. Not Fact-Based Am I reporting facts or am I simply making opinions? Evident vs. Not Evident Am I reporting information based on some type of evidence or claims? Supported vs. Not Supported Is my information substantiated (backup by research or data) or is it simply an unfounded assertion? Certain vs. Not Certain Am I sure of the findings or am I still uncertain? Publicized vs. Not Publicized Has this information been disseminated or is this relatively unknown to the academic community? New Information vs. Not New Information Is the information a novel idea or am I recycling older information?

Example � The following sentences are incorrect. Why? suggested that America has 50 states. � They insisted that America has 50 states � They claimed that America has 50 states. � They argued that America has 50 states. � They

Answer: � “America has 50 states” is a fact! � The aforementioned verbs (suggested, insisted, claimed, argued) are not fact-based.

Saying Verb vs. Knowing Verb � Saying verb represents a level of uncertainty in your statement. ◦ Example: Brewster (2011) claims that experiment was successful. � Knowing verb represents a level of certainty in your statement. ◦ Example: Brewster (2011) illustrates how the experiment was a success.

Verb Categorization Sentence (Place the verb in Red) Factive vs Nonfactive Type Saying or Knowing Verb They suggested that all fossil fuels will run out soon. Nonfactive Not Certain Saying They insisted that all fossil fuels will run out soon. They claimed that all fossil fuels will run out soon. They argued that all fossil fuels will run out soon.

Verb Categorization Verb Factive vs Nonfactive Type Saying or Knowing Verb Example: The authors pointed out three major limitations in their previous studies. Factive Publicize Knowing The authors proved/demonstrated three major limitations in their previous study. The authors conceded three major limitations in their previous study. The authors realized (=came to know) three major limitations in their previous study. The authors informed his readers of three major limitations in their previous study. The authors reminded his readers of three major limitations in their previous study.

How to Avoid Pitfalls � Clearly identify what type of information you’re trying to present. � Identify whether the verb is merely a “saying” verb or a “knowing” verb.