Chapter 39: Using the Dictionary
I)
II)
III)
IV)
V)
Introduction: The dictionary is a valuable tool. To help you use it, this chapter
explains essential information about dictionaries and the information they
provide.
Owning Your Own Dictionary
a. Hardbound dictionaries contain a good deal more information than the
paperback editions. For instance, a desk-sized dictionary defines far more
words than a paperback one, and there are more definitions per word, as
well.
b. Dictionaries are often updated to reflect changes which occur in the
language. New words come into use, and old words take on new
meanings. So you should not use a dictionary which has been lying around
for a number of years.
Online Dictionaries
a. If your computer or smartphone is connected to the Internet, you may find
it easy to check words online.
b. Here are three online dictionaries:
i. www.merriam-webster.com
ii. www.dictionary.com
iii. www.yourdictionary.com
c. On most online dictionaries, you can find a speaker icon that will
pronounce the word for you.
Software Dictionaries
a. Some word-processing programs also come with built-in dictionaries.
Understanding a Dictionary Entry
a. Spelling
i. The first bit of information, in the boldface (heavy-type) entry
itself, is the spelling of the word.
b. Syllabication
i. The second bit of information that the dictionary gives you, also in
the boldface entry, is the syllabication of the world. Note that a dot
separates the syllables.
1. Example: in·con·tro·vert·i·ble (6 syllables)
c. Pronunciation
i. The third bit of information in the dictionary entry is the
pronunciation of the word.
1. Vowel Sounds: You will probably use the pronunciation
key in your dictionary mainly as a guide to pronouncing
vowel sounds.
a. For example: a bat / ā say / e set / ē bee / i big
b. The key tells you, for example, that the sound of the
short a is like the a in bat, the sound of the long a is
like the a in say, and the sound of the short e is like
the e in bee.
2. The Schwa (ǝ): The upside-down e symbol is called a
schwa. It stands for the unaccented sound in such words as
ago, item, easily, gallop, and circus. The unaccented sound
sounds like an uh sound.
3. Accent Marks: Some words contain both a primary accent,
shown by a heavy stroke (´), and a second accent, shown by
a lighter stroke (´). For example, in the word controversy
(kon´trǝ vûr´se), the stress, or accent, goes chiefly on the
first syllable (kon), and, to a lesser extent, on the third
syllable (vûr).
4. Parts of Speech: The next bit of information that the
dictionary gives about the word is its part of speech:
a. n. = noun / v. = verb / adj. = adjective / adv. =
adverb / sing. = singular / pl. = plural.
5. Principal Parts of Irregular Verbs: When a verb is irregular,
the dictionary lists its principal parts.
a. Example: Under go, you’ll find went (past), gone
(past participle), and going (present participle)
6. Plural Forms of Irregular Nouns: The dictionary also
supplies the plural forms of all irregular nouns.
a. Example: Analysis (Sing.) and Analyses (Plural)
7. Meaning: When a word has more than one meaning, the
meanings are numbered. In more dictionaries, the most
common meanings of the word are presented first.
8. Usage Labels: If a word is not standard English, the
dictionary will probably give it a usage label.
a. Examples: Informal, nonstandard, slang, vulgar,
obsolete, archaic, and rare.
Chapter 40: Improving Spelling
VI)
Introduction: Langan offers several suggestions to help you improve your
spelling.
a. Step One: Use the Dictionary
i. When you write a paper, allow yourself time to look up the
spelling of all those words you are unsure about. Do not overlook
the value of this step just because it is such a simple one.
b. Step Two: Keep a Personal Spelling List
i. Keep a list of words you misspell, and study these words regularly.
ii. Write any hint that will help you remember the spelling for a word.
iii. Study a word by looking at it, saying it, and spelling it.
iv. Try to break long words up into syllables and see whether you can
spell the individual syllables.
v. Review and repeated self-testing are the keys to effective learning.
c. Step Three: Master Commonly Confused Words
d. Step Four: Understand Basic Spelling Rules
i. Rule 1: Changing y to i
1. When a word ends in a consonant plus y, change y to i
when you add an ending ( but keep the y before –ing).
a. Example: carry + ed = carried
b. Example: carry + ing = carrying
ii. Rule 2: Final Silent e
1. Drop a final e before an ending that starts with a vowel.
a. Example: create + ive = creative
2. Keep the final e before an ending that starts with a
consonant.
a. Example: life + less = lifeless
iii. Rule 3: Doubling a Final Consonant
1. Double the final consonant of a word when all three of the
following are true.
a. The word is only syllable or is accented on the last
syllable.
b. The word ends in a single consonant preceded by a
single vowel.
c. The ending you are adding starts with a vowel.
d. Example: shop + er = shopper
Chapter 41:
VII)
Introduction:
a. A good vocabulary is a vital part of effective communication. A command
of many words will make you a better writer, speaker, listener, and
readers.
b. Studies have shown that students with a strong vocabulary, and students
who work to improve a limited vocabulary, are more successful in school.
c. And one research study found that a good vocabulary, more than any other
factor, was common to people enjoying successful careers.
d. Langan offers a few ways to improve one’s vocabulary. They are:
VIII) Regular Reading
a. Through reading a good deal, you will learn words by encountering them a
number of times in a variety of sentences. Repeated exposure to a word in
context will eventually make it part of your working language.
b. Langan recommends developing a reading habit of the following:
i. A daily newspaper
ii. One or more weekly magazines
iii. One or more monthly magazines that suit your interests
iv. Read books, fiction and nonfiction, for pleasure
IX)
Vocabulary Worksheets
a. Whenever you read, you should mark off words that you want to learn.
b. After you have accumulated a number of words, sit down with a
dictionary and look up basic information about each of them. Such as:
i. Word
X)
ii. Pronunciation
iii. Meaning(s)
iv. Other forms of the word
v. Use of the word in context
Vocabulary Study Books
a. A third way to increase your word power is to use vocabulary study books.
The best are those that present words in one or more contexts and then
provide several reinforcement activities for each word.
b. These only help if you work in them on a regular basis.