Useful Phrases for use in Evaluative Writing

 1

X endeavours to show/prove, put forth

Panova endeavours to show that although Holden is not a very likeable character on the surface, one comes to like him in the end.

 2

Expresses a view....to the effect that

Panova expresses a view to the effect that although Holden is not a very likeable character on the surface, one comes to like him in the end.  

 3

X seeks to criticise

Panova seeks to criticise Holden’s irresponsible behaviour.

 4

He believes

Panova believes that Holden is a loafer.

 5

Having dismissed...he then...

Having dismissed Holden as an apparently unlikeable character, Panova then shows how the novel works on the reader in secret and subtle ways.

 6

X endeavours to expose...

Panova, at the beginning of her article, endeavours to expose all the negative characteristics of Holden.

 7

He goes on to ...(dismiss)

Having dismissed Holden as an apparently unlikeable character, Panova goes on to show how the novel works on the reader in secret and subtle ways.

 8

X argues that

X argues that

 9

He provides some excellent examples of ...

Panova provides some excellent examples of the kinds of things Holden does to upset readers.

 10

In X’s analysis...

In Panova’s analysis Holden is a loafer.

 11

Ultimately, for X...

Ultimately, for Panova  the novel is a tragedy.

 12

X claims that

X claims that

 13

The author gives some examples of...

The author gives some examples of...

 14

The author suggests that ...

The author suggests that ...

 15

The author makes a connection between

The author makes a connection between Allie and James Castle.

 16

He concludes that ...

He concludes that the novel is tragically hopeless.

 17

He appears to be saying that ...

She appears to be saying that although Holden does things that the reader cannot approve of the reader ends up liking him because of the artistry of Salinger in working on our emotions in secret and subtle ways.

 18

The author states

The author states

 19

According to X

According to Panova, Holden is a loafer.

 20

He clarifies what he means by ...

She clarifies what she means by giving examples of the ways in which the novel stirs our emotions.

 21

Another reason why X thinks... is ...

Another reason why Panova thinks that the reader shouldn’t like Holden is his constant lying.

 22

X believes that

X believes that

 23

X suggests

X suggests

24

X takes his argument further in suggesting that ...

Burrows takes his argument further in suggesting thateven when death is not mentioned directly the theme is still there in the form of imagery.

 25


X argues not only that ... but also ...

Panova argues not only that Holden is a loafer but also that he is a

 26


One example of this is ...

One example of this is when Holden envisaged himself becoming a ‘Catcher in the Rye ’.

 27


In this text X is describing...

In this text Panova is describing the way in which Holden’s behaviour upsets the reader.

 28


X offers

X offers

 29


His basic argument can be summarised as ...

Burrows basic argument can be summarised as even when not obvious, the theme of death is present in the novel in the form of imagery.

 30


In essence what he is saying is ...

In essence what he is saying is thateven when not obvious, the theme of death is present in the novel in the form of imagery.

 31


X says that ...

X says that ...

 32


He also gives many examples of ...

He also gives many examples of  ways in which Holden shows how he respects women.

 33


X begins by discussing ...

X begins by discussing ...

 34


Having discussed ... he eventually focuses on...

Having discussed Holden’s faults   Panova eventually focuses on the ways in which the novel stirs our emotions.

 35


X levels various criticisms against ...

Panova levels various criticisms against Holden’s behaviour.

 36


For X ...

For Panova, Holden appears to be an unlikeable character.

 37


He mentions how ...

He mentions how Holden thinks about Allie when he is depressed.

 38


One of the purposes of X’s essay/article is to...

One of the purposes of Panova’s essay/article is to explain why people like the novel so much.

 39


X exemplifies his claim with/by ...

Bloggs exemplifies her claim   with the example of Holden telling Mrs Marrow that her son was popular.

 40


X contends that

X contends that

 41


X attacks ...

X attacks Aldride for claiming that Holden does not change during the course of the novel.

 42


X objects to ...

X objects to Aldridge’s claim that Holden doesn’t change.

 43


X’s principle concern is with ...

Burrows’ principle concern is with Holden’s dealings with death.

 44


X presents his views about ...

Burrows presents his views about the theme of death in the novel.

 45


A lot of the points he makes are about ...

A lot of the points he makes are about indirect references to death.

 46


X tries to show how ...

 

 47


X gives details of ...

 

 48


X recounts ...

 

 49


X presents

 

 50


X provides

 

 51


According to X ...

 

 52

He achieves/doesn’t achieve

Panova achieves her purpose of showing how readers come to like Holden by focussing on incidences from the novel which draw on our sympathy.

 53

Looking briefly at two interrelated examples might allow us to

Looking briefly at two interrelated examples might allow us to see how Holden is incapable of forming long term relationships.

 54

In delimiting the ways in which... X ...

In delimiting the ways in which Holden can be considered unlikable, Panova acknowledges that Holden is not perfect.

 55

X lists a number of ...

Panova lists a number of things that Holden does that the reader can’t approve of.

 56

In reading X’s article, one may well be convinced that

In reading Panova’s article, one may well be convinced that Panova doesn’t like Holden.

 57

He offers no evidence to support his point

Panova offers no evidence to support her point that Holden is a loafer.

 58

It would seem difficult to substantiate

It would seem difficult to substantiate Panova’s claim that Holden is a loafer.

 59

He simply tells us that

She simply tells us that Holden is a loafer without offering any evidence.

 60

Arguably

Arguably, Holden is the complete opposite of a loafer.

 61

X would seem to indicate that ...

Panova would seem to indicate that she does not approve of the use of slang.

 62

X is under the impression that...

Panova is under the impression that readers in general do not approve of the use of slang.

 63

What X fails to consider is the fact that...

What Panova fails to consider is the fact that a large number of readers of the novel use slang themselves.

 64

He seems reluctant to take into consideration

Panova seems reluctant to take into consideration the fact that a large number of readers of the novel are in fact teenagers, just like Holden.

 65

In general I agree with X...although I think that

In general I agree with Panova although I think that despite his faults, Holden is still a likeable character.

 66

X is right.

Panova is right when she says that Holden is the son of a rich father.

 67

I agree with his claim

I agree with his claim.

 68

I agree with the author that

I agree with the author that Holden is a loafer.

 69

X’s basic assumption that .... is...

X’s basic assumption that readers disapprove of the use of slang is incorrect if we remember that  a large number of readers use slang themselves.

 70

X makes a valid point when he says ...

The author makes a valid point when he says   that Holden was deeply affected by the death of his brother Allie.

 71

It is generally assumed that ...

It is generally assumed that if a boy’s father is rich then the boy doesn’t have to worry about money.

 72

Thus, X’s argument is quite valid.

Thus, X’s argument is quite valid.

 73

X draws a parallel between ...

Burrows draws a parallel between the death of Allie and Phoebe

reaching for the gold ring on the Carousel.

 74

His argument about ...

Her argument about Holden being an unlikeable character is invalid.

 75

... leads him to believe that ...

Panova’s assumption that readers don’t approve of slang leads her to believe that the reader also doesn’t approve of Holden.

 76

This is so for him because...

The reader disapproves of Holden.  This is so for her because the reader disapproves of Holden’s behaviour.

 77

X bases his argument on ...

Burrows bases his argument on the belief that falling is a symbol of death.

 78

It follows that ...

It follows that if falling is death then flying must be life.

 79

X wants to leap from ...

X wants to leap from ...

 80

Underlying X’s argument appears to be a belief that ...

Underlying X’s argument appears to be a belief that falling is a symbol of death.

 81

Whilst it would seem... this is only ...

Whilst it would seem that Holden is an irresponsible student, this is only because we judge him by his exam results. If we look at his involvement in other activities ...

 82

Ultimately it is the justifiability of ...that needs to be questioned .

Ultimately it is the justifiability of Burrow’s belief that falling is a symbol of death that needs to be questioned.

 83

His argument rests on the premise that ...

His argument rests on the premise that falling represents death.

 84

In order to assess X’s argument we need to...

In order to assess Burrows’ argument we need to establish whether Salinger intended the sensation of falling to be taken as a symbol of death.

 85

Since ... it seems reasonable for X to conclude that ...

Since Holden’s father was a rich lawyer it seems reasonable for Panova to conclude that Holden never had to worry about money.

 86

It is not so clear that ...

It is not so clear that just because a boy’s father is rich that boy is rich too.   Some people do not share their riches with others.

 87

X seems to attach too much significance to ...

Burrows seems to attach too much significance to the theme of death in the novel.

 88

There are some points where he ...

There are some points where Burrowssuggests that Holden was subconsciously thinking about death.

 89

While it is true that ... this is generally ...

While it is true that Holden gets on very well with females this is generally only when they expect nothing from him.

 90

In fact, in many cases ...

In fact, in many cases when something is expected from him the encounter ends up in disaster.

 91

X’s criticism of ... seems unjustified

Panova’s criticism of Holden’s behaviour seems unjustified

 92

While he is certainly correct in observing that ...

While Bloggs is certainly correct in observing that Holden has been dismissed from every school he has attended, he is not correct in assuming that Holden is unintelligent.

 93

There is nothing inherently wrong in ...

There is nothing inherently wrong in saying thatHolden came from a fairly typical family.

 94

In some cases ...

In some cases Holden is seen to be extremely polite.

 95

Something may be ... but still not exactly ...

Someone may be rich but still not exactly free from worries about money.

 96

X has a tendency to exaggerate.

Panova has a tendency to exaggerate Holden’s faults. (His lies are   only ‘white lies’)

 97

X makes many sound points

Panova makes many sound points when she claims that Holden is an unlikeable character.

 98

His discussion of ...

Burrows’ discussion of the topic of death is thought provoking.

 99

If we look at some of ... we can see that ...

If we look at some of the lies that Holden actually told, we can see that he told them only in order to avoid hurting other people.

 100

He also seems to ...

He also seems to assume that if your father is rich, you are also rich.

 101

He seems to have forgotten that ...

Panova seems to have forgotten that many readers of the novel are teenagers themselves.

 102

Does X expect us to ...

Does X expect us to believe that she has never told a lie?

 103

As for his ... argument ...

As for her argument that Holden is a loafer I’m afraid I cannot agree.

 104

This is a fact that X seems all too ignorant of

Practically everyone uses slang of one form or another . This is a fact that Panova seems all too ignorant of.

 105

X’s argument focussed very much on ...

Panova’s argument focussed very much on Holden’s behaviour in the environment of school.

 106

He does not support this statement ...

Panova says that Holden is a loafer but she does not support this statement.

 107

X takes this to be the logical conclusion of his foregoing discussion

Holden is an unlikeable character . Panova takes this to be the logical conclusion of her foregoing discussion.

 108

There is clearly a difference between ... and ...

There is clearly a difference between being intelligent and doing well at school.

 109

I would agree with X that ...

I would agree with Panova that Holden isn’t doing very much with his life.

 110

I would not go so far as to say that ...

I would not go so far as to say that Holden is a loafer.

 111

His argument suffers from serious shortcomings with regard to ...

His argument suffers from serious shortcomings with regard to the lack of a variey of examples to support his claim.

 112

the evidence he uses to back up his claim...

The evidence she uses to back up her  claim  is inadequate/non-representative etc.

 113

He makes a sweeping generalisation

She makes a sweeping generalisation when she says that readers can’t approve of Holden’s slang.

 114

based on evidence that may not be typical of...

Panova’s argument is based on evidence that may not be typical of American teenager’s in the 1950s.

 115

 ... are exceptions rather than the rule ...

The few lies that Holden told are exceptions rather than the rule.

 116

A further problem is that ...

A further problem is that Panova assumes all readers have the same attitude to faults as she does.

 117

On what grounds does he believe that ...?

On what grounds does she believe that Holden is a loafter?

 118

Some kind of (proof/analysis/evidence) is needed.

Some kind of (proof/analysis/evidence) is needed.

 119

The evidence that is given may be incorrect.

The evidence that is given may be incorrect.

 120

There is sometimes no evidence given for a claim, as when he states that ...

There is sometimes no evidence given for a claim, as when she states that Holden is a loafer.

 121

There is not a shred of evidence given to support this claim.

There is not a shred of evidence given to support this claim.

 1222

The problem with X’s article is that...

The problem with Panova’s article is that it does not offer sufficient evidence to support its claims.

 123

I suggest that there are other and valid reasons for ...

I suggest that there are other and valid reasons for Holden having a nervous breakdown.

 124

Could it be that ... ?

Could it be that Panova has never told a lie herself or used slang ?

 125

Because of the problems with the evidence he offers, we cannot say ...

Because of the problems with the evidence she offers, we cannot say whether the conclusion she reaches is in fact true.

 126

X attempts to show how ...

Panova attempts to show how the novel reaches the reader’s heart in secret and subtle ways.

 127

The argument presented is reliant on

The argument presented is reliant on the reader agreeing that Holden is a basically unlikeable character.

 128

Faulty argumentation is particularly evident in

Faulty argumentation is particularly evident in Panova’s claim that

 129

X assumes that

X assumes that

 130

X fails to consider that ...

X fails to consider that other readers might not find Holden’s behaviour to be objectionable.

 131

X is seemingly unaware of the significance of ...

Panova is seemingly unaware of the significance of the readers ability to identify with the character of Holden.

 132

...a superficial consideration of ...

Panova presents a superficial consideration of Holden’s character without considering the motivation for his actions.

 133

X’s argument contradicts itself ...

X’s argument contradicts itself ...

 134

This is an idea that most people would agree with.

This is an idea that most people would agree with.

 135

He rightly draws attention to ...

She rightly draws attention to Holden’s past educational record.

 136

Here it is difficult to check the impression that X ...

Here it is difficult to check the impression that Panova is a middle class, easily offended, sensitive creature.

 137

...is something that we need to be constantly aware of

The fact that Holden’s brother, Allie, died only two years earlier, is something that we need to be constantly aware of, if we are to understand Holden behaviour.

 138

X’s examples of ... are ...

Panova’s examples of Holden’sbehaviour are non-representative.  She doesn’t mention any of his kind actions.

   139 

Full marks for X because  ...

Full marks for Panova because she succeeds in showing how the novel affects the reader.

 140

Looking at the basis of X’s argument, there are some problems.

Looking at the basis of Panova’s argument, there are some problems.

 141

He does not really say ...

She does not really say in what way Holden can be considered a loafer.

 142

None of these points seem clear.

None of these points seem clear.

 143

X does not support his argument clearly enough.

Panova does not support her argument clearly enough.

 144

There are many examples of ... such as...

There are many examples of falling in the novel such as when Holden wanted to become a Catcher in the Rye and stop the children from falling over the cliff.

 145

To clarify his points X chooses

To clarify his points X chooses the example of Holden being afraid that he will disappear while crossing the street.

 146

Is this an appropriate way to show that ...?

Is this an appropriate way to show that Holden is afraid of death? Just because he doesn’t want to commit suicide doesn’t mean that he is afraid of death.

 147

He does not really address the idea that ...

Burrows does not really address the idea that Holden may not be afraid of death because he actually considered committing suicide.

 148

The question of ... is never really addressed.

The question of why Holden considered committing suicide is never really addressed.

 149

The example is contrived rather than a clear piece of proof.

The example is contrived rather than a clear piece of proof.

 150

X argues quite well that ...

Burrows argues quite well that Holden is afraid of death.

 151

It is still not clear how ...

It is still not clear how Holden’s mental illness can be linked to his fear of death.

 152

Surely ... ?

Surely Panova herself has told lies and used slang ?

 153

In some ways X ... but ...

In some ways Holden is afraid of death but inother ways he can be said to be courageous in confronting it.

 154

While X never seems terribly convincing when ... he does make some valid observations about

While Panova never seems terribly convincing when she talks about Holden’s faults she does make some valid observations about the subtle ways in which the novel affects the reader.

 155

I think ... is what X means when he says ...

I think not having a purpose in life is what Panova means when she says that Holden is a loafer.

 156

X falls short of fully articulating the idea that ...

Panova falls short of fully articulating the idea that Holden is an unlikeable character.

 157

X seems to forget that ...

Panova seems to forget that a lot of the readers of the novel, are teenagers themselves.

 158

X’s argument appears to be quite convincing because...

Panova’s argument appears to be quite convincing because she offers a lot of support for it.

 159

Given that ... then ...

Given that Bloggs is correct when she says that Holden is irresponsible then it is easy to understand why he left the foils on the train.

 160

Whereas X believes that ... I believe...

Whereas Panova believes that Holden is an unlikable character I believe  that he is charming and attractive.

 161

While X believes that ... I take the opposite vew in maintaining that ...

While Panova believes that Holden is unlikeable I take the opposite view in maintaining that he is charming and attractive.

 162

Although I agree with X with regard to ... I would not go so far as to agree with X’s contention that ...

Although I agree with Panova with regard to her claim that Holden does things that cannot be approved of I would not go so far as to agree with her contention that Holden is unlikeable.

 163

Therefore, this can be seen to show ...

Holden  realises that he will miss people like Stradlater, Ackley and Maurice. Therefore, this can be seen to show that Holden has changed and learned something about life.

 164

Although the evidence suggests ... when one looks at it more closely it is clear that ...

Although the evidence suggests that Holden is an unlikeable character when one looks at it more closely it is clear that Holden has good reasons for what he does and if one understands those then one will like him.

 165

The importance of ... to ... should not be overlooked.

The importance of Allie’s death to Holden’s overall development should not be overlooked.

 166

In claiming that ... X has failed to take into account (the fact that) ...

In claiming that readers cannot approve of Holden’s slang  Panova has failed to take into account the fact that a lot of readers use slang themselves.

 167

If one looks at the (incidences/examples) that X has chosen to focus on, one can see that ...

If one looks at the examples that Panova has chosen to focus on, one can see that they are all connected with school.

 168

Because of the examples that X has chosen to use ...

Because of the examples that Panova has chosen to use it would appear that Holden is irresponsible.   However if one looks at examples beyond the school he can be seen to be quite a responsible person.




Copyright - © 2002 David O'Regan - All rights reserved.