I am a sophomore and I recently took the PSAT(a pretest for college) and I honestly didn't know what some of the words meant. I'm not dumb or anything such as that but I really want to be prepared when I take the real entrance exam into college. I read in my spare time mostly liturate and history but are thare any other ways I can significantly expand my vocabulary? Thank you so much for your help! It is greatly appreciated!
2007-10-17 17:12:58 · 12 answers · asked by Shel 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Please don't comment if I have mispelling because I have severe dyslexia and am unable to spell everything perfect. Thanks again!
2007-10-17 17:14:11 · update #1
Read, read, read.
No matter what my day is like, I read a little every night.
2007-10-17 17:23:32 · answer #1 · answered by dude 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was experiencing a similar situation such as yours!
I am in Junior High and I love to read. However, I noticed that no matter how much I read, my vocabulary was the same span as any other kid my age.
What I did, was continue reading my books. Whenever I came across a word I didn't know, I would stop there and write it down in a notebook I carried around with me.
Then, when I got home, I would look the definition up in the dictionary and write it down under the word, along with an example of how to use it.
This may work, also using a thesaurus would help as well!
When you write an essay/paper, try using a thesaurus (if you don't have one you can go to thesaurus.com and look your word up in the search bar). Replacing simple words such as said, ran, jump, eat, etc, will help your vocabulary increase as well.
Good luck!
=]
2007-10-17 17:28:23 · answer #2 · answered by The Princess Peach 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know that there are programs available that help in the enrichment of the vocabulary but I don't know where and how to get hold of them. The best thing that you could do is to go to your city library and ask the librarian for help. Another thing that you could do, if you have a computer at home, use the word processor for any and all writings you do. You'll be surprised how the build in thesaurus could be of great help.
Good luck to you.
NDS
2007-10-17 17:29:48 · answer #3 · answered by Nikolas S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For starters, there are books and day calenders that have "word a day" themes that would help learning new words. But it also helps to listen to conversations that use expansive vocabulary. Try watching television shows that emphasis in politics or science and jot down some words that are unfamiliar to you.
Like everything, just some practice will go a long way! Good luck to you!
2007-10-17 17:18:09 · answer #4 · answered by applemartini73 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every time I hear a word that I don't know I try and remember it, & then when I get near a computer I sound it out and try and spell to look it up. Writing (or typing) something helps you remember it, and looking it up will help you remember the definition. After you learn the definition try and use it in a sentence for the rest of the day. You'll eventually learn!
2007-10-17 17:22:11 · answer #5 · answered by Mandy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Word of the Day, looking up any unfamiliar words you come across when reading, flash cards, etc.
Also, once you learn a new word try to incorporate that word into your normal vocabulary so you get used to it. You're more likely to remember it that way.
2007-10-17 17:22:55 · answer #6 · answered by rockergirl20032003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I used to do, is look for this kind of thing:
http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/archive/
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/wodcalendar.pl
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/students/wordofday/archive.html
etc. I'd just search for 'word of the day' and kill some time to increase my vocabulary and such.
Not to be condescending, but you should use Yahoo's 'Check Spelling'. It can help with your Dyslexia. Bad habits are hard to break. Grammar walks side-by-side with vocabulary in a written form.
2007-10-17 17:26:56 · answer #7 · answered by Grammaton Cleric 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
grab a dictionary and learn 10-20 words a week. then try to incorporate them into your vocabulary...slowly...you want to know what the meanings of the words are and use them the right ways. use the words daily in conversations with friends and family...it helps...good luck.
2007-10-17 17:24:18 · answer #8 · answered by jenn4chrisphillips 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dyslexia isnt a terrible thing sweetie... just means we have to do the best we can..
i suggest getting a dictionary and learning a new word everyday.. this is what i did and still do.. read the word.. spell the word and learn its meaning.. spell it to yourself everyday..all day off an on and then try and find a sentence to use it in.. this helped me and still helps me learn new and differant words...if it takes longer to spell the word and learn it..then so be it.. take your time and by the time you get to college youll be ready for them!! hugssss
2007-10-17 20:44:53 · answer #9 · answered by bettym 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They have novels were they take the old books like frakenstien and Dracula and then they add different words that they use in the SAT and PSAT. My sister has one or two and they helped her. Good luck and God bless
2007-10-17 18:48:36 · answer #10 · answered by Kaden H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe try reading articles online that you normally wouldn't, if you come across words you dont know, look them up in word, Word has a dictionary and thesaurus, that is one way... read more recent things, technology articles, world news, that should help...
goodluck
2007-10-17 17:19:52 · answer #11 · answered by jimbo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋