Not all verbs are the same because some verbs do more than tell you what’s happening. Rhetorically accurate verbs are like artists adding color and detail to a story. They paint the action into a striking scene by conveying it in a detailed way.

Let’s look closer at these literary tools to understand how they work. 

What To Know About Rhetorically Accurate Verbs

You’ve probably heard of rhetorical questions, but what are rhetorically precise verbs? These verbs don’t just tell us what is happening but how it’s happening. They allow you to express actions in the most exact way possible, creating a clear and detailed image that engages senses and emotions.

Specific, powerful verbs and verb phrases can make your writing more analytical. People often use them in academic writing. However, they can also be very effective in narrative writing or storytelling. Using certain rhetorically accurate verbs can create a mood and engage readers.

What Does Rhetorically Accurate Mean?

The concept of rhetoric dates back to Ancient Greece. Aristotle defined this idea as “the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion.” Over time, the study of rhetoric has evolved and expanded. Still, it has consistently maintained its emphasis on creation and communication.

When we refer to something as “rhetorically accurate,” we mean it is precise, effective and appropriate within its specific rhetorical context.

What Are Some Examples of Rhetorically Accurate Verbs?

These action words can enhance the analytical nature of your writing.

• Assert
• Claim
• Reveal
• Highlight
• Demonstrate
• Illustrate
• Clarify

The precision of the verbs makes your writing more authoritative.

Using a rhetorically accurate verb can also add depth to your sentence by providing a clear picture of the action you are describing.

• Whispers instead of says
• Bellows instead of yells
• Glimmers instead of shines
• Devours instead of eats
• Saunters instead of walks
• Beams instead of smiles

These verbs don’t merely tell us what’s happening but give us a sense of how it’s happening, making our writing more engaging and expressive.

Are Rhetorical Verbs the Same as Rhetorically Precise Verbs?

No, rhetorically accurate verbs are not the same as rhetorical verbs. Rhetorical verbs are a broad category of verbs used to describe actions.

However, not all rhetorical verbs are rhetorically accurate verbs. These precise verbs are a subset of rhetorical verbs. They describe the specific moves a writer or speaker makes in the most detailed way possible.

For example, common rhetorical verbs such as “says,” “states,” and “writes” are often replaced with rhetorically accurate verbs for more exactness.

While these verbs do indicate that the author is expressing something, they do not provide specific information about how the author is making their argument. Instead, verbs like “argues,” “implies,” “emphasizes,” and “scribbles” can more accurately describe the rhetorical moves.

Rhetorically Accurate Verbs Are Powerful Tools in Language

Rhetorically accurate verbs precisely convey the action in a sentence, enhancing the clarity and impact of the message. They allow the speaker or writer to describe an action and give the audience more context. Choosing the most fitting verb can transform a simple statement into a compelling narrative, making a rhetorically accurate verb the cornerstone of effective communication.

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