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Things I want to Know

1) _______________________________

2) _______________________________

3) _______________________________

Notes:

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Steps

1. Increase your vocabulary by learning to use CONTEXT CLUES, so that you can teach yourself new words every time you read.

2. Increase your vocabulary by learning to use WORD PARTS so that you can figure out word meaning by looking at their prefixes, suffixes and roots.

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Steps

3. READ WIDELY, READ A VARIETY OF THINGS so that you will be exposed to thousands of new words each month. Keep a vocabulary journal to record the interesting words you find, or make word cards so that you can see your vocabulary growing.

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Steps

4. TEST YOURSELF. You can use the “It Pays to Enrich Your Word Power” feature in Reader’s Digest magazine each month.

on the internet at

http://www.rd.com/

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Steps

5. Use the Library to find other resources for building your vocabulary. Bookstores have “Word for Today” calendars, crossword puzzles, and vocabulary word card boxes.

6. USE your words from time to time in conversations.

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Context Clues - Synonyms

Context clues are often found in the form of synonyms: words that mean the same as the unknown word.

Synonyms may be purposely included by an author to help readers understand a less familiar word.

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Context Clues - Synonyms

In such cases, the synonyms are usually set off by special punctuation within the sentence, such as commas, dashes, or parentheses; and they may be introduced by or and that is.

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Context Clues - Synonyms

A synonym may also appear anywhere in a sentence as a restatement of the meaning of the unknown word.

1. Are you averse—opposed to—the decision?

2. His naivete, or innocence, was obvious.

3. The salesperson tried to assuage the angry customer’s feeling, but there was no way to soothe her.

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Context Clues - Antonyms

Antonyms—words and phrases that mean the opposite of the word – are also useful as context clues.

Antonyms are often signaled by words and phrases such as however, but, yet, on the other hand, and in contrast.

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Context Clues - Antonyms

1. My sister Ann is lively and outgoing; however, I am rather introverted.

2. Religions in America are not static, but changing, especially in this period of shifting values.

3. Many people have pointed out the harmful effects that a working mother may have on the family, yet there are many salutary effects as well.

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Context Clues - Examples

Examples can serve as context clues for a word.

Examples are often introduced with such signal words as including and such as.

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Context Clues - Examples

1. Nocturnal creatures, such as bats and owls, have highly developed senses that enable them to function in the dark.

2. The adverse effects of this drug, including dizziness, nausea, and headaches, have caused it to be withdrawn from the market.

3. Common euphemisms include “final resting place” (for “grave), “intoxicated” (for “drunk”), and “comfort station” (for “toilet”).

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General Sense of the Sentence

In some cases, conclusion based on the information given the word can be drawn.

Asking yourself questions about the sentence or passage may help you make a fair accurate guess about the meaning of the unfamiliar word.

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General Sense of the Sentence

1. A former employee, irate over having been fired, broke into the plant and deliberately wrecked several machines.

2. Despite the proximity of Ron’s house to his sister’s he rarely sees her.

3. The car wash we organized to raise funds was a fiasco, for it rained all day.

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