Ms Jeanille: EMOTIVE LANGUAGE USING VERBS, ADJECTIVES AND ADVERBS

EMOTIVE VERBS

They are also called EMOTIONAL RESPONSE VERBS. Such verbs express action tapping into the readers’ or listeners’ emotions.
Here is a list of verbs you can use to trigger an emotional response. The list also includes sample emotive statements using the past tense of the given verbs.

VERB	MEANING	SAMPLE EMOTIVE STATEMENT
BELITTLE	To put down or make someone feel as though unimportant; to imply that something is less important	The cunning and witty lady all of a sudden belittled the timid newcomer.
ATTACK	To act violently using force to whom the intention is to hurt someone	Springing from nowhere, the very determined hunter attacked the sleeping lion.
DIVULGE	To reveal or make something known	Samuel, exhausted from all his travels, divulged the details of his voyage to this young and eager explorer.
CONFIDE	To share or discuss private matters to someone you trust	Hailey confided to Michael the reason why she hurriedly left this dreaded town that night.
TIP OFF	To give a warning or a secret information	The two-faced traitor of a friend tipped off the museum guards the night of the robbery.
CAJOLE	To persuade someone to do something by flattery and the use of insincere compliments and promises	Charming Mr. Melvin cajoled the innocent-looking and secretly enamored Ms. Clark into giving him the classified document.
BARGAIN	to negotiate over the terms of a purchase, agreement, or contract	Shaking off the dust from her life’s misfortunes, Clarissa bargained her soul to the devil.
EMPOWER	To give authority or power to do something	Mr. Ranier, trustworthy and practical, empowered his very hardworking employees to do the job to the best of their abilities.

Here are more emotive verbs you can use:

Blame, demand, beg, criticize, accuse, tease, accuse, mislead, lie to, admit, support, motivate, assure, clear, fulfil, uplift, focus, rest, wait, align, emphasize, cry, laugh, smirk, shudder, wonder, infuriate, violate

ADJECTIVES

An adjective is a part of speech designed to basically describe something or someone. These adjectives are instrumental in formulating emotive statements. When these descriptive words are embedded in your statements, you trigger an emotional response.
Take a look at these examples. The underlined words are the adjectives while the bolded words are the verbs.

The cunning and witty lady all of a sudden belittled the timid newcomer.
Springing from nowhere, the very determined hunter attacked the sleeping lion.
Samuel, exhausted from all his travels, divulged the details of his voyage to this young and eager explorer.
Hailey confided to Michael the reason why she hurriedly left this dreadful town that night.
The two-faced traitor of a friend tipped off the museum guards the night of the robbery.
Charming Mr. Melvin cajoled the innocent-looking and secretly enamored Ms. Clark into giving him the classified document.
Mr. Ranier, trustworthy and practical, empowered his very hardworking employees to do the job to the best of their abilities.

Here are some adjectives you can use:

Controversial, unbelievable, magical, magnificent, remarkable, strong, tremendous, glorious, supportive, trustworthy, doubtful, manipulative, comfortable, judgmental, authoritative, condescending, awkward, incapable, pathetic, woozy, jittery, suspicious, insecure, repulsive, terrible, tragic, atrocious, disastrous, dreadful, inconsiderate, offensive, harsh, vindictive, spiteful, scornful, sarcastic, powerless, despicable, desperate, conscientious, euphoric, creative, exuberant, spontaneous

The following are called PAST PARTICIPLES which function as adjectives when used alone.

Forbidden, blacklisted, concealed, hidden, limited, disoriented, distracted, overwhelmed, incapacitated, uninterested, terrified, threatened, deceived, appalled, enraged, agitated, exasperated, dejected, delighted, honored, astounded, elated, satisfied, gratified, liberated, thrilled, pleased, blessed, motivated, empowered, focused

However, when they are used with helping verbs, they function as verbs. Let's take a look at this.

PARTICIPLE AS AN ADJECTIVE

PARTICIPLE AS A VERB

We have reached the forbidden forest.

· “Forbidden” in the sentence is an adjective which describes the forest.

I have been forbidden to enter.

· “Forbidden” in the sentence is part of the passive present perfect form of the verb, have been forbidden.

I feel threatened.

· “Threatened” in the sentence is an adjective stating what the speaker feels. Feel here is a linking verb that connects the subject to its complement.

She is threatened by my presence.

· “Threatened” in the sentence is part of the passive simple present form of the verb, is threatened.

ADVERBS

Certain types of adverbs particularly adverbs of manner and degree could be used to aid in the construction of emotive statements. They can intensify or even add emphasis to emotive verbs and adjectives.

Adverb of Manner

I am uncertain of this path he is leading, though I followed with hesitation, I remain loyal.

“With hesitation” is an adverb of manner as it answers the question, “How did he follow?”, thus it modifies the verb followed.

Chester sat himself comfortably on the sofa and watched excitedly as if he’d never seen Nona on TV before.

Comfortable and excitedly are adverbs of manner which answers the question “how”, thus modifying the verb “sat” and “watched” respectively.

Adverb of Degree

I was very frustrated when I heard that you chose to sulk and beat yourself up because your frail ego was badly hurt.

· "Very" is an adverb of degree which intensifies the feeling of frustration. "Badly", on the other hand, is another adverb that intensifies the feeling of being hurt.

The following adverbs can be used to express emotive language. They don’t necessarily have to be only adverbs of manner or degree.

Imminently, strongly, cowardly, certainly, instantly, immediately, definitely, extremely, highly, absolutely, likely