Useful Phrases for use in Evaluative Writing

X endeavours to Panova endeavours to show that although Holden is not a very

show/prove, put forth likeable character on the surface, one comes to like him in the end.

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

X seeks to criticise Panova seeks to criticise Holdens irresponsible behaviour.

He believes Panova believes that Holden is a loafer.

Having dismissed...he Having dismissed Holden as an apparently unlikeable character,

then... Panova then shows how the novel works on the reader in secret
and subtle ways.

X endeavours to Panova, at the beginning of her article, endeavours to expose

expose... the negative characteristics of Holden.

He goes on to ... Having dismissed Holden as an apparently unlikeable character,

(dismiss) Panova goes on to show how the novel works on the reader in
secret and subtle ways.

X argues that X argues that

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

10 In Xs analysis... In Panovas 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 The author gives some examples of...
examples of...

14 The author suggests The author suggests that ...

that ...

15 The author makes a The author makes a connection between Allie and James
connection between Castle.

16 He concludes that ... He concludes that the novel is tragically hopeless.

17 He appears to be saying She appears to be saying that although Holden does things that
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 She clarifies what she means by giving examples of the ways in
means by ... which the novel stirs our emotions.

21 Another reason why X Another reason why Panova thinks that the reader shouldnt like
thinks... is ... Holden is his constant lying.

22 X believes that X believes that

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

54 In delimiting the ways in In delimiting the ways in which Holden can be considered
which... X ... 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
cant approve of.

56 In reading Xs article, In reading Panovas article, one may well be convinced

one may well be that Panova doesnt like Holden.
convinced that

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

58 It would seem difficult to It would seem difficult to substantiate Panovas claim that
substantiate 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 Panova would seem to indicate that she does not approve of
that ... the use of slang.

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

63 What X fails to consider What Panova fails to consider is the fact that a large number of
is the fact that... readers of the novel use slang themselves.
149 The example is The example is contrived rather than a clear piece of proof.
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 It is still not clear how Holdens mental illness can be linked to
how ... his fear of death.

152 Surely ... ? Surely Panova herself has told lies and used slang ?

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

154 While X never seems While Panova never seems terribly convincing when she
terribly convincing talks about Holdens faults she does make some valid
when ... he does make observations aboutthe subtle ways in which the novel affects
some valid observations the reader.
about

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

156 X falls short of fully Panova falls short of fully articulating the idea that
articulating the idea an unlikeable character.
that ...

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

158 Xs argument appears Panovas argument appears to be quite convincing

to be quite convincing because she offers a lot of support for it.
because...
159 Given that ... then ... Given that Bloggs is correct when she says that Holden is
irresponsiblethen it is easy to understand why he left the foils
on the train.

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

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

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

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

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

165 The importance of ... to ... The importance of Allies death to Holdens overall
should not be overlooked. developmentshould not be overlooked.

166 In claiming that ... X has In claiming that readers cannot approve of Holdens
failed to take into account slang Panova has failed to take into account the fact
(the fact that) ... that a lot of readers use slang themselves.
167 If one looks at the If one looks at the examples that Panova has chosen to
(incidences/examples) that focus on, one can see that they are all connected with
X has chosen to focus on, school.
one can see that ...

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