Power of Words

Quick-Fix Workshop Communications Centre
Why do large vocabularies characterize executives and possibly outstanding men and women in other fields? The final answer seems to be that words are the instruments by means of which men and women grasp the thoughts of others and with which they do much of their own thinking. They are the tools of thought. - Johnson OConnor
Everyone from those just learning English to journalism veterans knows the frustration of not having the right word immediately available in that lexicon (vocabulary) one carries between ones ears
Whether youre reading a newspaper, billboard sign, cereal box, or textbook, it can be extremely frustrating to encounter words whose meanings elude us Not knowing the meaning of certain words may hinder your success academically and in your daily life activities
Remember: LANGUAGE = POWER
A Few Interesting Facts

According to David Orrs 2000 article, Verbicide,: In the past 50 yearsthe working vocabulary of the average 14 year-old has declined from some 25,000 words to 10,000 words. This is not merely a decline in numbers of words but in the capacity to think.
The problem of language, however, is a global problem. Of the roughly 6500 languages now spoken on Earth, half are on the brink of extinction and only 150 or so are expected to survive to the year 2100.
Language everywhere is being whittled down to conform to the limited objectives of the global economy and homogenized to accord with the shallow imperatives of the information age.
So, what can we do to preserve and improve our crucial knowledge of words?
Learning New Words

One of the best ways of learning new words is to meet them in context In such situations it is very often possible, by reading a sentence carefully and by recognizing certain clues, to guess with reasonable accuracy the meaning of an unfamiliar word
Sentences or paragraphs frequently offer the following clues to the meanings of unfamiliar words:
The general sense or meaning of the sentence or paragraph Tone and point of view of the writer Connectives such as and and or, which can signal a likeness, or but, yet and conversely can indicate a contrast Punctuation marks such as a colon indicating a list, a dash indicating additional information, or an exclamation mark indicating intensity
Using Context Clues

Try to determine the meaning of each of the following italicized words from its context in the sentence. Check a good dictionary to evaluate how close you have come
1. Many doctors today endorse a holistic view of medicine one that includes attention to nutrition, exercise, and psychological needs as well as to drugs and surgery.
Dictionary meaning?
2. In spite of the fact that the clouds scudded across the sky overhead, there was not the suggestion of a breeze, much less a wind, in the harbour.
Dictionary meaning?
3. I enjoyed meeting the affable owner of the shop; her easygoing and cheerful Dictionary meaning? manner endeared her to me.
Strategies for Remembering New Words

Say the word aloud several times: Saying the word aloud, especially along with a short phrase, will help you remember it Learn how to use the pronunciation guide in your dictionary, and if you are an ESL learner, ask a native speaker to pronounce new words into your tape recorder
Tie new words to old:

When you encounter a new word, think of a method for recalling the meaning This will often involve using a word that you already know
Use visualization:
For example, to recall that draconian measures are harsh and extreme, visualize Dracula biting someones neck for missing class!
Write vocabulary cards:

This technique DOES work Keep a stack of cards in your pocket or bag and whenever you hear a new word, write it on a card Set aside a few minutes each day to look up the words in a dictionary On one side of the card write the word and its pronunciation cue On the reverse side, write the definition (in your own words) and also a sentence for the word
Make use of your new words

Share your new-found words with friends and family Drop new words into a conversation Teach your friends and family the meaning of your new words
Review, review , review:

You cant expect to learn a new word and never forget it Periodically go back over the words youve learned and quiz yourself Flag the words you missed and review them again
Using All the Resources

Books: There are many books about vocabulary building available in bookstores Look for one that includes helpful exercises and the kinds of words that you would like to learn
Read more and keep a dictionary nearby:

Reading widely is the most effective and natural way to improve your vocabulary When you come upon an unfamiliar word, dont ignore it but rather write it down and find its meaning in the dictionary
Dictionaries and Thesauruses:

Buy two dictionaries; keep a quality dictionary at home (Oxford is best) and carry a small portable dictionary with you Check online dictionaries, too the online Merriam Websters WWWebster Dictionary Consult a thesaurus for synonyms but make sure you understand the meaning of each word by looking it up in the dictionary
Word puzzles
Try Madlibs online or in book form
Crosswords
Make it a daily activity to complete one crossword from a book of crosswords or from a newspaper
Magnetic Poetry
The Internet:
You can use the Internet as an aid to vocabulary development by exploring the abundant opportunities for reading Read online newspapers: The Globe and Mail The Hamilton Spectator
Choose online magazines such as Atlantic and Mother Jones that challenge your mind and vocabulary with full-text articles Atlantic has a language section select from Word Court, Word Fugitive, and Word Police www.theatlantic.com/language/ Read the New York Times Book Review
www.nytimes.com (one-time registration is FREE!)
Subscribe to a service that will provide you with a new word each day: www.wordsmith.org www.vocabvitamins.com www.merriam-webster.com
Word of the Day from OED (Oxford English Dictionary) The New York Times Word of the Day www.nytimes.com/learning/students/word ofday/index.html Check out the word archive
Have fun building those vocabulary muscles!

Power of Words

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Power of Words

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Quick-Fix Workshop Communications Centre

Remember: LANGUAGE = POWER

A Few Interesting Facts

Learning New Words

Using Context Clues

Strategies for Remembering New Words

Tie new words to old:

Write vocabulary cards:

Make use of your new words

Review, review , review:

Using All the Resources

Read more and keep a dictionary nearby:

Dictionaries and Thesauruses:

Have fun building those vocabulary muscles!

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