Reporting Verbs
Often you will be referring to the research of others when you are academic writing and is known as a secondary source. Reporting verbs are used in academic writing to describe or report on others’ works.
A word that is used to discuss other people’s work or is a reporting verb.
Reporting verbs have two main functions:
- To report the author’s viewpoint and what they have done
- Your perspectives and opinion of what the writer has said or done
Every reporting verb has a slightly subtle difference in meaning, and this can be a challenge when you have used someone else’s ideas or concepts.
Using the correct reporting verb is often reliant upon your interpretation of what the author’s message is.
Presenting an argument in academic writing
Present a logical and rational argument in your academic writing.
Your ability to do the following may be assessed:
– agree or disagree with someone else’s study
– evaluate and comment on someone’s idea.
It is dull and monotonous to read ‘Brown says…’ repeatedly when there are plentiful engaging reporting verbs in English.
To ensure the author’s original message and intentions are kept as accurately as possible. Refer to your dictionary to make sure that you are using the correct verb.
Reporting verbs can indicate:
– the author’s viewpoint
– your position on what the author is saying
– the author’s viewpoint regarding other related research and literature.
Common reporting verbs for academic
It’s essential that you have a solid grasp of the meaning before placing a reporting verb in a sentence.
To show your attitude when citing a secondary source make sure that you are using the correct verb for your viewpoint. The reporting verb that you use depends on the message that you want to convey.
Agree
If you agree with what the author has said, use a reporting verb with a positive meaning.
Here are some examples:
- affirms
- analyses
- applauds
- argues
- contends
Disagree
When you do not agree with the author’s point of view, use a reporting verb that will indicate your opposing view.
- accuses
- alleges
- apologies
- asserts
- comments
- confuses
- doubts
- guesses
- hopes
- intimates
- questions
- speculates
Neutral
When you do not agree with the author’s point of view, use a reporting verb that will indicate your opposing view.
- accepts
- according to
- acknowledges
- adds
- agrees
- assures
- claims
- concludes
- confirms
- describes
- expresses
- maintains
- recognises
- reports
- says
- stays
- thinks
Verbs that indicate what the author's actions
Indicate the author’s thinking.
- assume
- believe
- consider
- predict
- recognise
Indicate the author is showing something.
- demonstrate
- estimates
- explain
- illustrate
- indicate
- observes
- reports
- shows
- states
Indicates the author is proving something.
- confirm
- establish
- indicate
- prove
- validate
- verify
Indicates what the author did.
- analyse
- apply
- estimate
- evaluate
- examine
- find
- investigate
- observe
- study
Watch the following video
The following brief video (0.33) suggests reporting verbs for accurately portraying the author’s meaning.
Activity
Complete the following interactive activities on reporting verbs
