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Verbonanza: To Vitiate

An interesting verb to use when discussing writing and argument, "vitiate" allows you to vividly describe how certain aspects of a text or elements of an argument weaken or corrupt that text or argument.

"Frequent and confusing verb errors vititate the emotional and philosophic power of her essay."

"The unspoken assumption that we are all willing to sacrficice for the benefit of others vitiates Johnson's hopeful arguments about immigration reform."

Of course, this verb offers a prettty harsh critique of whatever you apply it to, so use vitiate wisely lest you vitiate your audience's trust in your judgement.

Verbonanza: To Suggest

A simple verb, "suggests" opens up many possibilities in your writing, especially when you are discussing an argument or commenting on literature.

"Rawls suggests that Californians turn the frustrations of our many social paradoxes into a source for new creativity and cultural leadership."

"When he describes his experiences organizing protests in his high school, Luis Rodriguez suggests that the Chicano civil rights movement had a much different birth place then the African American civil rights movement."

Because "suggests" usually requires "that," you will sometimes find that the verb can introduce some concision problems. But those problems pale in comparision to the awkward confusions created by a verb too many student writers rely upon too frequently: "states." More on the horrors of using this verb to introduce quotes, see tomorrow's verbonanza entry.

Verbonanza (The Power of Verbs): "Underscore"

Literally, "underscore" mean to underline, but in a broader sense, underscore also means "to emphasize." I like to use this broader sense in sentences that analyze or argue:

"Mike's claim that his best friend is a strawberry only underscored our concerns about his mental health."

"Here, the writer reminds us of the value of a semicolon employed to underscore a connection between the ideas of two independent clauses."

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