Table 1
Verbs to position the writer in relation to the literature being reviewed
|
Neutral about the knowledge |
Affiliating with the knowledge |
Distancing from the knowledge | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
comments explains indicates notes describes |
observes remarks states finds suggests |
discovers reveals realizes understands |
addresses argues recognizes identifies |
assumes claims contends argues |
hopes believes suggests |
Table 2
Verbs to represent the nature and strength of an author’s contributions to the literature
|
Verbs to report what an author DID |
Verbs to report what an author SAID |
Verbs to report an author’s OPINION | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
analyse, assess, conclude, discover, describe, demonstrate, examine, explore, establish, find, identify, inquire, prove, observe, study, show |
Weaker |
Stronger |
Weaker |
Stronger |
|
comment, describe, note, remark, add, offer, suggest |
affirm, emphasize, stress, maintain, stipulate, explain, conclude, identify, insist |
accept, believe, consider, think, suggest, suspect, speculate |
argue, assert, claim, contend, deny, recommend, reject, advocate, maintain | |
Table 3
Verbs to express relations among authors in the field
|
Depicting similar positions |
Depicting contrasting positions |
Depicting relating/responding positions |
|---|---|---|
|
Taylor acknowledges Jackson’s claim that … |
Taylor refutes Jackson’s claim that … |
Taylor adds to Jackson’s claim that … |
|
affirms, agrees, confirms, concurs, aligns, shares, echoes, supports, verifies, concedes, accepts |
argues, disagrees, questions, dismisses, refuses, rejects, challenges contradicts, criticizes, opposes, counters, disputes |
extends, elaborates, refines, builds on, reconsiders, draws upon, advances, repositions, addresses |