Glossary-UVW

A verb is a part of speech that expresses action or existence. In academic writing, students should use strong verbs instead of weak verbs.

Examples of verbs include:

return, walk, leave, sit, jump, and swim.

A verse is a line of poetry. Students should include direct references to verses to support their thesis, opinion, and main argument when writing a paper about poetry.

Example of a verse

"It is impossible to say just what I mean!" (T.S. Eliot, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, verse 104)

Weak verbs include passive voice constructions and verb phrases that include nouns. In academic writing, students should avoid weak verbs.

Example of a weak verb (a passive voice construction):

The dog was walked by its owner.

Example of a weak verb (verb phrase that includes a noun):

This quote is a reference to William Shakespeare's Hamlet.