📕 The Writer “Says” Problem
📕 The Writer “Says” Problem
Imagine a GCSE examiner who has read 847 essays by Thursday afternoon. The phrase “the writer says…” appears in approximately 846 of them.
This is not a problem with hard-working students. It is a problem with “says”. The verb is doing no work. It names the action of putting words on a page, which all writers do. It tells the examiner nothing about what kind of move the writer is making with those words. And the mark scheme rewards students who notice what kind of move is being made.
Swap “says” for a precise introductory verb and the sentence immediately commits to an interpretation. That commitment is analysis.
English Language glossary
- What is an 'introductory verb' and why does precision matter?
- <strong>The introductory verb</strong> sits between 'the writer' and the quotation. It names the type of craft move being made.<br><br><strong>Vague:</strong> <em>"The writer says 'the crowd fell silent'."</em> — 'says' only confirms that words were written.<br><br><strong>Precise:</strong> <em>"The writer frames the silence as sudden and collective."</em> — 'frames' names a perspective decision.<br><br><strong>Why precision earns marks:</strong> a precise introductory verb forces you to commit to an interpretation before you reach the quotation. That commitment is the beginning of analysis, not just evidence-pointing.
The introductory verb is the word that sits between “the writer” and the quotation marks. It does more than signal that a quote is coming — it names the type of move the writer is making. Compare:
Now try it yourself
Quiz · Question 1 of 12
Why is 'the writer says' a weak way to introduce a quotation?
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