Argument Analysis
This is the term for the main claim or position an author is arguing for in a piece.
Contention
Mary Oliver is known for writing extensively about this subject, using close observations of animals and landscapes to explore deeper human themes.
Nature or the natural world
Instead of saying an author "shows," you might say they do this, meaning to demonstrate clearly.
Illustrates/ Reveals/ Demonstrates
Emmeline Pankhurst and the suffragettes protested to achieve this fundamental democratic right for women in the early 20th century.
This punctuation mark should never be used in formal analytical essays, as it's considered too casual for academic writing.
Contractions or apostrophes in contractions
When an author uses statistics, expert opinions, or research findings to support their argument, they are using this type of evidence.
Factual evidence or logos
In "Wild Geese," Oliver tells the reader they do not have to be good or walk through the desert on their knees; instead, they need only let their body do this.
Love what it loves.
When a text subtly indicates something without stating it directly, the author does this.
implies/suggests/insinuates
The first Sydney Mardi Gras in 1978 began as a protest for the rights of this marginalised community, resulting in arrests and police violence.
LGBTQIA+ Rights
Rather than dropping quotes in as separate sentences, you should do this by weaving them grammatically into your own sentences using techniques like colons or partial quotes.
Embed or integrate quotes
This persuasive technique involves appealing to the audience's emotions rather than logic.
Pathos or emotional appeal
In this poem from Dream Work, Oliver encourages the reader to leave behind the voices of others and save "the only life you could save."
The Journey
This verb means to give greater value or importance to an idea, making it stand out to the reader.
emphasizes/highlights/accentuates
In Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron," the government enforces this concept by handicapping anyone above average, which Harrison protests against.
Enforced or absolute equality.
This common essay writing error occurs when you use "I think," "I believe," or "in my opinion," which weakens your argument by making it sound subjective.
First person or persona pronouns
When an author acknowledges an opposing viewpoint before refuting it, they are using this structural technique to strengthen their argument.
Rebuttal or counterargument
Oliver's poetry often explores this theme regarding mortality and the natural cycle, accepting death as part of the beauty of existence.
Transience/ Impermanence of life or acceptance of death as natural.
When an author strengthens or confirms their argument by providing additional support, they do this to their contention.
reinforces/consolidates/bolsters
In Meyne Wyatt's "City of Gold," the protagonist protests against this systemic issue affecting Indigenous Australians, which the play exposes through its confronting narrative.
Racism or systemic racism/discrimination against Indigenous Australians
This sophisticated writing technique turns verbs or adjectives into nouns, such as changing "the author argues" into "the author's argument," creating a more formal academic tone.
What is nominalisation
The deliberate use of inclusive language like "we" and "our" to create solidarity between the writer and audience is an example of this persuasive strategy.
Inclusive language or building rapport
Oliver's work frequently employs this poetic technique where she asks direct questions to the reader or herself, creating intimacy and encouraging personal reflection.
Rhetorical questions or direct address
This sophisticated verb means to diminish the importance of something or make it seem less significant than it might actually be.
undermines/downplays/trivialises/marginalises
Emmeline Pankhurst famously stated "deeds not words," justifying this controversial shift in suffragette tactics that included property damage and hunger strikes.
militant action or radical/direct action
When writing about texts, you should always refer to events in this verb tense, even if the story is set in the past, because the text exists in an eternal present.
Present tense