Identifying New Words

1. Use context clues. Read the entire sentence to see if surrounding words give you a clue about the unknown word's meaning of function.
2. Think of related words. If you don't know the word, think of words that may be related, i.e., if the word is "sensation," you might think of the words "sense" or "sensitive," which all have to do with feelings.
3. Analyze word parts. Look at prefixes and suffixes. Break down the word into smaller parts that you may already know.
4. Read with a dictionary or thesaurus close at hand. Look up words as you come across them. Always look for short definitions, synonyms are preferable.

Building and Recording New Vocabulary

1. READ AS MUCH AS YOU CAN!!! Reading often and for lengthy periods of time will help you build your vocabulary.
2. Read with an index card or post-its. Jot down new words, so you can look them up later. Index cards also make great bookmarks.
3. For high reading level textbooks:
   
   • Skim for new words ahead of time and identify them. Look at word banks or sections labeled "vocabulary" or "words to know." Familiarizing yourself with unknown words ahead of time will make your reading easier and more productive.
   • Categorize words. Divide up words on your word lists or in word banks under the following 3 categories:
     1. Words I Know!!! :)
     2. Words I Recognize--I sorta know the word, so I'll make sure and look it up.
     3. Words I've never seen before! Look up the synonym, repeat it to yourself, and write it down.
4. Use your own word lists.
5. Make word cards or flash cards. See guidelines.
6. Use mnemonics. Mnemonics are memory tricks you use to remember things. For example, if you confuse the spelling of "dessert" and "desert," you can remember that "dessert" has a double 's' for strawberry shortcake.
7. Start working on crossword puzzles. They'll test your vocabulary and spelling.
8. If you own the book, mark it up as you read!!! Read with a pen. If you don't own the book, read with a pencil (you can erase later). Write synonyms and your own notes in betweent the lines and in the margins.