Vocabulary Memory and Study Aids

Mack Gipson, Jr.

Tutorial and Enrichment Center

Gayla S. KeeseeEducation Specialist

Memory and Study Aids

Visual clues Drawings, Pictures, ModelsGraphic OrganizersDiagrams and Charts—Tables/Grids

Word associationsFlashcards

Visual Aids

Drawings, pictures, models

Physically create visual elementsDrawings or pictures of definitionsPictures of situations where the word would be usedDraw crazy visual associations

Visual Aids

Create a graphic organizer in which you answer the following questions

What is it? (Category)Other forms (Change part of speech)What is it like? (Properties)What are some examples (Illustrations)

Writing (tactile) and reading (visual) learning styles

Cynic

What is it? noun, kind of personOther forms: adj.—cynical

adv.—cynicallynoun—cynicism

What is it like? pessimistic, scornful, sneering, contemptuous, distrustful, sarcastic

Examples: Someone who doesn’t think democracy can be honest and efficient

Someone who believes that human conduct is motivated solely by self-interest

Diagrams Charts

Table or grid—possible headings

Word MeaningPart of speechWord Structure

– Roots, prefixes, suffixes– Number of syllables

Common Usage– Describes people– Describes places– Describes things

Categorization Grid

Words to describe people

Pompous Arrogant Diligent

Obtuse Morose Garrulous

Malicious Uncouth Flippant

Pessimistic Cynical Timid

Word Associations

• Façade—false, superficial, or artificial appearance•FACE—false face

• Benign—kindly, gentle

•Be + 9

+ 9

Word Associations

Flashcards

Create flashcards to help you study

Don’t make too small4x6 are bestCarry them with youReview them oftenBreak into small groups for easier learningShuffle frequently so you don’t learn a pattern

Flashcards—Advantages

Chunks information into smaller categories to aid memory

Nouns—persons, places, thingsVerbs—plural/singular or tensesPhrases—common usage

Use of color signals categoriesdifferent colored cardshighlighters

Flashcards—Advantages

Use either written or visual informationEasily rearranged and sorted

Do not learn the words in a fixed order.Learn only words need to remember.

Can be used for different purposes

Lists of itemsGrammar rulesQuiz prep—questions/answers

Flashcards—Advantages

Size and portability easy to carryuse for short, frequent reviewsreview in spare time that is often wasted—like waiting in line or between classes.

Physically moving and manipulating the cards incorporates tactile learning

Flashcards—Advantages

Writing down the material on cards aids your memory in itself.

76 repetitions of information to go into long term memory

One Way to Study

1. At least once a day, go through your pack of index cards—spend 10-15 minutes each time.

2. Sort the cards into two stacks—those you know and those you do not know.

3. Periodically review the entire set of words to keep them fresh in your mind.

When to Use Flashcards

Study your vocabulary for 10-15 minutes a day

Riding the busRiding in a carBefore bedWhen you get up in the morningWaiting in line Doing your laundry

What to Include:

Flashcards

Conglomerate

con-glom’-er-it

Def: an organization comprising two

or more companies that produce unrelated

products. EX: Nichols company owns

a shoe factory, vineyards in France, soft

drink factories, and Sara Jane pastry.

Front

Back

Flashcards

Definition—Picture Two-sidedWord and picture on front sideContext sentence on back side

The diligent student worked hard on his

homework.

Diligent

Grammar

Become familiar with basic grammar termsVocabulary words will only come from these parts of speech

NounsVerbsAdjectivesAdverbs

Parts of Speech

Pay attention to the part of speech and its function in a sentence

Nouns/Pronouns Name persons, places, things, ideas, qualitiesSubject, Direct Object, Indirect Object, Object of the Preposition

Part of Speech

Pay attention to the part of speech and its function in a sentence

AdjectivesDescribe nouns and pronounsHow many? Which one? What kind?Usually come before nouns

Part of Speech

Pay attention to the part of speech and its function in a sentence

VerbsIndicates the action of the subject—also known as predicate

– Action verbs (always adding new words)

– Linking verbs(limited number)

Pronunciation

Pay Attention to Pronunciation

Concentrate on new and unusual soundsPay attention to differences in pronunciation if change part of speech

moderate (adj) vs. moderate (v)

The Written Word

Pay attention to how words are written

spelling conventionsprefixessuffixes

Watch for words that look the same—same roots/prefix

conductor, conducive, conductionliterate, literary, literature

Sentence Patterns

Watch for Sentence Patterns

Common pattern in EnglishSubject + Verb + Object =

(Who + Did + What)

What about a question?Verb before subject

Create your own sentences.

Study Tips

Do your studying in relatively small chunks

45-60 minutes at a time

Study vocabulary several times a day

5-10 minutes at a time

Study Tips

When studying, use as many senses as possible

Speaking—say the wordListening—hear you or someone else Writing—physically practice writing the wordsReading—words in contextAct-out the definitions

Study Tips

Be an active and interactive learner

Study with a friendStart a study group

Make up sentences togetherQuiz each other on grammar and vocabularyCreate crossword puzzles and exchange them

Study Tips

Practice saying new words out loudPractice seeing the new word in context

Create simple sentences about a specific contextDescribe what is happening in that setting

home, school, work, Augusta Mall, movie theater…

Study Tips

Use new vocabularyConversationsEssays, reportsLetters

Notice when others use your vocabulary words

radio, TVmagazines, newspapers

Don’t

Don’t panicNormal not to master new vocabulary on the first try Constant practice and review are essential

Don’t study for long periods without a break

Memory overload

Don’t

Don’t be a passive learnerDon’t just say the words to yourself

Say the words out loudWrite the wordsRecord words/definitions on a cassette and play over & over

Don’t study vocabulary for more than 15 minutes at a time

Don’t

Don’t refer to your vocabulary list as you do your homework

Review material before starting homeworkWork from memoryComplete the entire exercise, then check your work

Have Fun!

Improving your vocabulary has many rewards.