Vocabulary
in
Context
The Crucible
Act I
DO NOW:
Complete the chart for the
Act I Crucible words to the
best of your ability.
As used in The Crucible…
 confirm
 naïve
(v): verify
(adj): not worldly
 parochial
(adj): narrow-
 defamation
(n):
damaging another’s
reputation
 dallied
(v): lingered;
minded
dawdled
 sniveling
(adj)(v):
whining and sniffling
 canny
 inert
 malevolence
(adj): still; not
moving
 ideology
beliefs
(n): system of
(adj): clever;
shrewd
(n): ill will
What are some ways to help commit
new vocabulary words to memory?
Play “Clue”
 Play
with your
vocabulary words
 Clue is a good way
to “own” new
vocabulary words.
 Come up with three
clues on your own
 Make
sure the clues
are some how
related to the
definition of the
word
 Be creative with
your clues & have
fun!
Clue Activity Example
Garish (adj) showy, very bright or gaudy
GARISH:
 A peacock’s feathers can be described as
this
 Dennis Rodman’s fashion style can be
considered this
 Gatsby’s mansion and car can be
described as this
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN….
Acrostic Poems
 Acrostic
poems can be
a fun way to help
memorize new
vocabulary.
 The first letter in each
line of an acrostic
poem spells the word.
 Each line should
somehow correspond
to the meaning of the
word.
Acrostic Poem Example
Garish (adj) showy, very bright or gaudy
G-grossly over the top
A-attention grabbing
R-ridiculously expensive
I-incredibly bright
S-sensationalized and showy
H-humbly inconspicuous it is not.
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN….
What are context clues and how do I use
them to decode what a word means?
Context clues
 Information
that appears near a word or phrase
and offers direct or indirect suggestions about its
meaning.
 Can be in the form of a definition, synonym,
antonym, example, or inference.
Example: garish (adj.) showy, very bright or gaudy
The Housewives of Beverly Hills depicts garish lifestyles of women
who spend fifty thousand dollars on their child’s first birthday party.
Context clues: Housewives do not work. Beverly Hills is known
for its affluence. Large sums of money spent on child’s birthday party.
Let’s Practice…
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN….
Homework
Pick
any five words from this
week’s vocabulary list. Choose
one of the study methods from
today’s lesson. Create either 5
Clue cards, 5 Acrostic poems, or 5
sentences for homework.
Exit Ticket
 Submit
your best “Clue” activity for a
vocabulary word, your best Acrostic
poem for a vocabulary word and your
best sentence from today’s activities on
a separate sheet of paper.