Vocabulary and Vocabulary and Word ChoiceWord Choice

Presented by the Presented by the

Texas A&M International UniversityTexas A&M International University

Writing CenterWriting Center

VocabularyVocabulary

Why should you improve Why should you improve your vocabulary?your vocabulary?

Having an extended vocabulary allows you to Having an extended vocabulary allows you to express your thoughts more clearly and express your thoughts more clearly and effectively.effectively.

Communicating your ideas effectively in writing Communicating your ideas effectively in writing is one of the most important factors in your is one of the most important factors in your success at the university level. success at the university level.

How can you improve your How can you improve your vocabulary?vocabulary?

Read well-written publications, such as Read well-written publications, such as the the New York TimesNew York Times or the or the Wall Street Wall Street JournalJournal..

Determine the meaning of unfamiliar Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words through context clues.words through context clues.

Write down unfamiliar words and look Write down unfamiliar words and look them up in a dictionary.them up in a dictionary.

Keep a vocabulary journal, and make a Keep a vocabulary journal, and make a point of using one new word in point of using one new word in conversation every day.conversation every day.

Make flash cards, and use new words Make flash cards, and use new words often.often.

Use a thesaurus – with caution. Words Use a thesaurus – with caution. Words in a thesaurus are related, but they do in a thesaurus are related, but they do not always have the same meaning.not always have the same meaning.

ExampleExample: “The teacher thought her : “The teacher thought her students were students were brightbright.” This would .” This would not be the same as saying, “The not be the same as saying, “The teacher thought her students were teacher thought her students were radiantradiant.”.”

Roots and AffixesRoots and Affixes

RootsRoots are the words that are the words that affixesaffixes are are added to. added to. Prefixes and suffixesPrefixes and suffixes are are known as affixes. Knowing the most known as affixes. Knowing the most common roots and affixes can help common roots and affixes can help you figure out the meaning of you figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.unfamiliar words.

ExampleExample: : Audi Audi is a root word that is a root word that means “to hear.” If the suffix -means “to hear.” If the suffix -tiontion (which refers to the condition or state (which refers to the condition or state of “to move”) is added to the root of “to move”) is added to the root word word audiaudi, then the word , then the word auditionaudition is is formed. Audition refers to a trial formed. Audition refers to a trial performance intended to demonstrate performance intended to demonstrate a personal skill ( i.e. acting).a personal skill ( i.e. acting).

PrefixesPrefixes A prefix is a word unit that is added to the A prefix is a word unit that is added to the

beginning of a root word to form a new word.beginning of a root word to form a new word.

One of the most common prefixes is “un.” Knowing “un” One of the most common prefixes is “un.” Knowing “un” means “not,” one could understand not only “uncommon” and means “not,” one could understand not only “uncommon” and “unusual,” but many other words that begin with “un.”“unusual,” but many other words that begin with “un.”

Another prefix is “sub,” which means “below.” When added Another prefix is “sub,” which means “below.” When added to “marine” which means “of or pertaining to the sea,” one to “marine” which means “of or pertaining to the sea,” one could conclude that “submarine” refers to something below could conclude that “submarine” refers to something below the sea. the sea.

Suffixes Suffixes

A suffix is a word unit that is added to the end A suffix is a word unit that is added to the end of a root word to form a new word.of a root word to form a new word.

They often change the part of speech of a word They often change the part of speech of a word so that a noun can be used as an adverb or an so that a noun can be used as an adverb or an adjective can be used as a noun.adjective can be used as a noun.

Some common suffixes are Some common suffixes are -s-s, , -es-es, , -ed-ed, , -ing-ing, , -ly-ly, -, -ionion, , -tion-tion, , -ation-ation, , -able-able, , -ible-ible, , -al-al, , -ial-ial, , -y-y, , -ness-ness, , -ity-ity, , -ment-ment, , -ous-ous, , -ful-ful, , -ive-ive, , -ative-ative, , -ful-ful, , -less-less, , -est-est, etc. , etc.

RootsRoots A A root wordroot word is the basic core element of a word, is the basic core element of a word,

exclusive of affixes (suffixes or prefixes). exclusive of affixes (suffixes or prefixes). As a result, most root words function as nouns.As a result, most root words function as nouns.

Some common root words are Some common root words are astroastro (star); (star); dictdict (speak, tell); (speak, tell); geogeo (earth); (earth); minmin (small); (small); phonphon (sound); (sound); portport (carry); (carry); spectspect (see); (see); biobio (life); etc. (life); etc.

Knowing these roots can help you determine the Knowing these roots can help you determine the meaning of meaning of astrophysicsastrophysics, , remitremit, , pedestalpedestal, , spectatorspectator, , phonographphonograph, and many other words., and many other words.

Putting It All TogetherPutting It All Together

Using your knowledge of roots and affixes, try Using your knowledge of roots and affixes, try and figure out the meaning of the following and figure out the meaning of the following words: words: subjugation, anachronism, ecology. subjugation, anachronism, ecology.

Choosing Effective WordsChoosing Effective Words

Avoid SlangAvoid Slang

SlangSlang is often used when talking to friends. It is often used when talking to friends. It is language that is familiar and comfortable to is language that is familiar and comfortable to us.us.

However, slang should be avoided when However, slang should be avoided when writing formal essays.writing formal essays.

Visiting my relatives every day was Visiting my relatives every day was a real draga real drag. (tiresome) . (tiresome) Laura didn’t want to Laura didn’t want to make wavesmake waves. (cause disharmony) . (cause disharmony)

Most of the writing done in college courses Most of the writing done in college courses has a serious tone; therefore, a formal level has a serious tone; therefore, a formal level of language should be used. of language should be used.

In academic writing, generally avoid using In academic writing, generally avoid using slang and colloquial expressions.slang and colloquial expressions.

InformalInformal•Since she worked hard on her Since she worked hard on her assignment, she was sure her grade assignment, she was sure her grade would be would be wickedwicked..

•Canada is considered one of the Canada is considered one of the coolestcoolest countries to live in. countries to live in.

FormalFormal •Since she worked hard on her Since she worked hard on her assignment, she was sure her grade assignment, she was sure her grade would be would be great.great.

•Canada is considered one of the Canada is considered one of the bestbest countries to live in. countries to live in.

Avoid ClichésAvoid Clichés A cliché is an expression that has been worn out through constant use. A cliché is an expression that has been worn out through constant use. It is easy for someone to casually say something like, "The conversation I had with It is easy for someone to casually say something like, "The conversation I had with

my boyfriend was my boyfriend was short and sweetshort and sweet."." Following are some other examples:Following are some other examples:

live and let live no guts, no glorylive and let live no guts, no glorytime will tell time will tell what goes around, comes around what goes around, comes aroundlife goes on life goes on beauty is only skin deep beauty is only skin deep one step at a timeone step at a time nobody is perfect nobody is perfect

Be PreciseBe Precise Vague words force the reader to guess what you mean. Vague words force the reader to guess what you mean.

It is best to choose words that express exactly what you want to say. It is best to choose words that express exactly what you want to say.

An example of this would be, “Our conversation was An example of this would be, “Our conversation was nicenice.” .”

An adjective, such as An adjective, such as thought-provokingthought-provoking, , interestinginteresting, or , or informativeinformative, , should be used in place of should be used in place of nicenice to specifically explain what the to specifically explain what the conversation was like. conversation was like.

Be AccurateBe Accurate If you are unsure about the meaning of a specific If you are unsure about the meaning of a specific

word, you may want to look it up in a dictionary. word, you may want to look it up in a dictionary. This will help you make sure that your sentence This will help you make sure that your sentence says exactly what you intended.says exactly what you intended.

WrongWrong - My roommate has a - My roommate has a dominatedominate personality that is very intimidating. personality that is very intimidating.CorrectCorrect- My roommate has a - My roommate has a dominantdominant personality that is very intimidating. personality that is very intimidating.

WrongWrong- Did you pay for airplane - Did you pay for airplane fair fair already?already? CorrecCorrect- Did you pay for the airplane t- Did you pay for the airplane fare fare already?already?

WrongWrong- It is not certain whether he - It is not certain whether he exceptedexcepted the task. the task. CorrectCorrect- It is not certain whether he - It is not certain whether he acceptedaccepted the task. the task.

This Concludes our Workshop This Concludes our Workshop onon

Vocabulary and Word Choice!Vocabulary and Word Choice!

Thank You!Thank You!