Download Vocabulary Learning Notes

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)