BUILDING WORD POWERUnit I

In this module you will be able to build new

words and derivatives

Use Synonyms & Antonyms

Explore context clues & other ways to increase word power

AffixAttached to the root to form new words

PREFIX (before)

POLITEIM (not)

APPEARANCEDIS (AWAY)

More Prefixes = More Vocabulary

IMPOLITE

DISAPPEARANCE

Number Prefixes

uni uniform

mono monologue

bi biweekly

tri triangle; triplet

quart quartet

Recognizing Prefixes

Prefix Meaning Examples

Extra Outside extracurricular

Intra Within Intramural

Inter Among Interschool

Mal Bad Maltreat

Multi Many Multimillionaire

Pre Before Preview

Post After postgraduate

Prefixes with More Than One Meaning

Prefix Meaning Examples

dis Opposite ofDeprive ofaway

disrespectdisrobedisappear

trans Acrossbeyond

transcontinentaltranscendental

Now work!

“Trying Out Prefixes”

SuffixAttached after the root to form new words

Study (verb)

Student (noun)

Studious (adjective)

Identifying Suffixes

Suffix Meaning Part of Speech

Word

-ate to become Verb VaccinateSalivate

-ment-ness-tion, -sion

act of, state of noun EnjoymentFirmnessReduction

-able characterized by, full of

Adjective AdorableSensible

-less Without Adjective senseless

ANTONYMS and SYNONYMS

You know this already so get to work.

BUILDING WORD POWERUnit II

words have positive or negative associations

• Skinny Thin Slim• Bony (neutral)

Slender• (Negative)

(Positive)

Negative Neutral Positive

eat, devour, dine

Smell, stench, fragrance

old, mature, senile

firm, pig-headed, unyielding

black man, negro, nigger

live, dwell, squat

free, idle, unengaged

Filthy rich, well-to-do. prosperous

on a piece of paper…

words can have DENOTATIVE and CONNOTATIVE meanings

DENOTATIVE is the basic dictionary meaning of a word.

CONNOTATIVE is the implied or suggested meanings of a word. “Mother” denotes “a female parent.”

“Mother” denotes “a female parent.”

Connotatively, “MOTHER” can mean “love”, “care,” “affection,” or “self-sacrifice.”

denotes an armed conflict between two factions or countries

connotes anxieties, fears, killings, brutalities, and destruction.

WAR

CONCRETE WORDS

can be perceived by the senses; like a GREEN MAT, a CRUNCHY CRACKER, HOT PEPPER, or FLORAL SCENT.

ABSTRACT WORDS

refer to concepts, ideas, beliefs, & qualities

examples are TRUTH, CHILDHOOD, SUPERSTITION & REVOLUTION

abstract words cannot be perceived by the senses

ABSTRACT

They came to the city in search of a better life.

CONCRETE

The barrio folk came to the city to earn a living, to put a roof over their heads, and to feed their children.

ABSTRACT

Dryness characterized the plain.

CONCRETE

The once green grassy plain has turned brown, and cracks with every step.

GENERAL

An old man is walking slowly down the street.

SPECIFIC

A doddering beggar dragged himself down Diversion Road.

Your last activity on BUILDING WORD POWER

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