Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Vocabulary Learning Notes Written Communication 2013/2014 Mr. Busby’s class Context clues • You may be able to figure out the meaning of an unfamiliar word by examining its context (group of words or sentences around the word) • Figuring out the meaning in this way is called using context clues • Common examples: antonyms – clues might exist which could indicate the word is opposite to a known word cause and effect – clues might exist which could indicate the word is related to the cause or is a result of some action (Because of Lara’s affinity for animals, she will make an excellent veterinarian.) comparisons – compare the word with a known one (The expression “Just say ‘No’” is so overused that it has become a cliché.) contrasts – the word may sometimes be contrasted with a known one (The team’s uniforms were immaculate before the game, but by the end of the first inning, they were filthy.) definition and restatements – look for words that define the word or restates it in other words (The rift, or break, between the two sisters had upset the entire family.) examples – look for examples used in context that reveal the meaning (The scientist was accused of several acts of espionage, including photographing secret documents and taping private conversations.) synonyms – look for known words that may be synonyms for unfamiliar words (The club’s coffers were so low that the members had to raise new funds in order to buy new uniforms.) Word Bank • One method of increasing your vocabulary is to make a habit of collecting words in a word bank: a list of words gathered from your reading, listening, and viewing • Consult your dictionary for the definition of each new word; keep a personal word bank in a notebook or on a computer file Word Formation • Many English words are made up of word parts that come from other languages or that have been inherited from earlier forms of English. A complete word, one that can stand independently, is called a base word, or root. Word parts, such as prefixes and suffixes, may be added to base words to form new words. • Examples: dis- continue -ous discontinuous in- compare -able incomparable mis- judge -ment misjudgment Word Meanings • Whether you are speaking or writing, it is very important that the words you choose match your purpose. Most words in the English language have a number of different meanings. Analogies – Analogies provide a special type of context in which you are asked to analyze the relationship between two words and then identify another pair of words with that same relationship. Example: Sour : Vinegar : ________ A. sugar : sweet C. loyal : faithful B. hot : fire D. chef : cooking Clichés – A cliché is a tired expression whose overuse has made its message weak and boring. Some clichés began as vivid expressions or figurative language, but then became trite and lifeless. Examples: blanket of snow, easier said than done, butterflies in my stomach, fit for a king, the long arm of the law, the dog ate my homework Colloquialisms – Colloquialisms are words and phrases characteristic of conversational language. Used appropriately and sparingly, they can give your informal writing and speaking a lively, personal tone. Avoid these in formal writing and speaking. Informal: What’s going on? Formal: How are you today? Denotation and connotation – The denotation of a word is its literal meaning, or the definition given in a dictionary. The connotation includes the emotional ideas and feelings that people may connect to the word. Example: The words persistence and stubbornness have similar denotations, “the quality of not relenting, or continuing even in the face of opposition.” Their connotations suggest different ideas, however. Persistence has a positive connotation of following a task through to the very end. Stubbornness has a negative connotation of being unreasonable or unwilling to listen to others. Euphemisms – A euphemism is an indirect, agreeable term that is substituted for a more direct, less appealing one. Some euphemisms are used as a courtesy to avoid offending people; others, however, are used to mislead people – to hide unpleasant truths or misrepresent the facts. Examples: euphemism more direct term memorial park cemetery facilities restrooms previously owned used passed on died Figurative language – Figurative language goes beyond the literal meaning of the words to create a special effect or feeling. Examples: Metaphor – says that something is The sun is something else a giant glowing ball Personification – gives human characteristics to nonhuman things A simile compares two basically unlike Her mouth things, using the words like or as snapped shut like a purse. Idioms – Idioms are conversational phrases that mean something different from the literal meanings of the words they contain. Idioms often cannot be explained grammatically, and they make no sense if translated word-for-word into another language. Examples: I did not want to go to the museum, but Shelly talked me into it. I asked her, “What’s up with that?” Jargon – Jargon is a special language used by people in a particular profession, occupation, hobby, or field of study. Jargon is effective only if the reader or listener is familiar with its special meaning. Example: set Theater and film – the scenery of a production Library – a complete series of a book or periodical Mathematics – a collection of distinct elements, such as negative integers Surfing – a group of waves (usually three) Loaded words – Words that have very strong connotations, either positive or negative, are said to be loaded words. Loaded words appeal to our emotions. They may influence us positively or negatively because of the feelings they arouse. Examples: The diner serves cheap, greasy food. The diner serves inexpensive, home-style food. Multiple Meanings – Many English words have more than one meaning and may function as more than one part of speech. When using a dictionary to find a word’s meaning, look at all the options given. Keep in mind the context in which you read or heard the word. Example: When I asked Melba about her plans, she replied with a blank stare. rode road Nonsexist language – Nonsexist language is language that applies to people in general, both male and female. For many years it was acceptable practice to use English gender-specific terms, such as man or mankind, to describe groups that included both men and women. In recent years, writers have begun to use nonsexist terms instead. Examples: chairman chairperson (or chair) fireman firefighter man-made synthetic watchman security guard Slang – Slang is highly informal language. It consists of made-up words or old words used in new ways. Slang is usually lively and colorful, and it can make the user seem up-to-date. Slang words are often a special vocabulary for close-knit groups such as students, musicians, and surfers. Examples: kewl good, okay tubular pleasing, fine Tired Words – a tired word is a word that once was clear and forceful but has now become vague and weak. The word has been used so often and so carelessly that it has become worn-out and almost meaningless. Examples: nice, fine, pretty, wonderful, terrific, great Word Origins The origin of a word is the way it came into existence in a language. The origin and history of a word – its etymology – often appear in brackets along with its dictionary definition. Example: eleven [ME elleven < OE endleofan] Word Parts English words are made up units called word parts. The three types of word parts are roots, prefixes, and suffixes. Roots – The main part of the word is called the root. The root carries the word’s basic meaning. Many roots come from Latin or Ancient Greek. Examples: -anthrop-, human, anthropology -chrono-, time, chronometer -mal-, bad, (malice, dismal) -pon-, place, exponent Prefixes – a prefix is word part that is added before a root or base word. The word that is created from a prefix and a root combines the meanings of both its parts. Examples: para-, beside, parallel pre-, before, preview un-, reverse of, unhappy Suffixes – a suffix is a word part that is added at the end of a base or root word. Often, adding a suffix changes both a word’s part of speech and its meaning. Examples: -er, doer, singer -ous, (marked by, full of), nervous -dom, (state, rank, condition), (kingdom, wisdom)