Academic vocabulary

Weeks 1 - 9

Subject

An area of study, such as science or math.

Math is Steven’s best subject.

subject

Someone or something that is thought about, written about, or talked about.

Our school picnic was the subject of a newspaper article.

topicThe subject of a discussion or

conversation.

Abigail always has a lot to say on the topic of dog care.

topicThe subject of a book or other

written work.

He has read many books on the topic of space travel.

editTo check and correct errors in

writing.

Before he handed it in, Rosemary edited Andrew’s story.

reviseTo make a piece of writing better by

making it clearer or more correct.

The reporter will revise the newspaper article to include the new information.

revisionA change that makes something

better.

The revisions in word choice improved my sentences.

reviseTo change or make different.

He revised his plans when he saw the rain.

usualNormal, common, or expected.

We did the usual things we do every day.

unusualNot usual or ordinary

It is very unusual for Ms. Hornada to get angry.

regularUsual or normal

Vegetables should be a regular part of everyone’s diet.

regularAlways happening at the same time.

Our regular lunch time is 11:45.

briefShort in time or length.

Mom wrote a brief note explaining why I didn’t come to school.

abbreviateTo shorten the time of length of

something.

Mr. T. had to abbreviate class because there was an assembly.

abbreviateTo shorten a word by leaving out

letters.

You can write that Garfield School is on Aurora Dr. and not have to write Aurora Drive.

pauseA short stop or rest

To stop for a short time in the middle of something.

A period is at the end of the sentence and it signals a pause when we are reading.When reading aloud to your teacher, you should pause at a period and a comma.

defineTo explain or tell the meaning of a

word or phrase.

We define word when we tell what a word means.

definitionThe meaning of a word or phrase.

The definition of edit means to check for and correct errors in writing.

definiteKnown for sure; certain.

We are waiting for a definite answer from Ms. Hornada about when we can have a party.

definitelyWithout a doubt

Catherine will definitely finish her homework before bedtime.

definitelyWithout a doubt

Catherine will definitely finish her homework before bedtime.

increaseTo make greater or larger

We will increase our library by adding more books.

increaseA greater amount of something.

The movie theater announced an increase in the cost of a ticket.

decreaseTo make or become less

Listening carefully can decrease the time your teacher keeps you in from recess.

decreaseThe amount by which something

become less

The flu caused a decrease in school attendance.

formType or kind

Reading is Jeren’s favorite form of entertainment.

formTo make or create; give shape to

How do we form a triangle?

formTo make or create; give shape to

How do we form a triangle?

Format and StyleFormat means the way in which something is made

up or organized.The simple format of the game makes it easy to play.

Style means the way in which something is written, said, or done.

The writer’s style is easy to understand.

concludeTo bring or come to an end

The teacher concluded the lesson just as the recess bell rang.

conclusionThe end or last part of something

At the conclusion of the story, the lost dog found its way home.

concludeTo decide based on the facts you

have

Gabriel looked at the pay print and concluded that it had been made by a bear.

conclusionA decision reached using the facts

and clues you have

We studied the clues and drew a conclusion about who had eaten the sandwich.

REVIEW WORDSBrief definitely increase subjectdecreased edited revisions unusual

REVIEW WORDSabbreviate concludeabbreviation defineddefinite definitionforms pauseusual