Vocabulary Plan

Improving Vocabulary

One of the best ways to improve our vocabulary, as most of us know, is by reading, reading anything, really--novels, short stories, poems, articles.  We are exposed to new words while we read and can begin to understand them by looking at the context provided.  The next step is to look them up, getting a fuller definition.  Then, we can use the words, including them in our writing not only in the word form we originally learned but in different word forms as well. 

During the quarter, you will need to include at least THREE words new to you in each essay assignment.  Please underline or mark in some way.  You can gather these from our texts or other sources.

We will be keeping a vocabulary list in our binders, where you write down words you’d like to know more fully and the different word forms they come in.  We’ll spend some class time doing this, but the rest will be completed outside of class.  While annotating, circle these words to come back to.  Obviously, the more words you gather and define, the more you’ll learn, and the more you’ll have to pull from for the writing assignments.

 

YOUR VOCABULARY SECTION WILL LOOK SOMETHING LIKE THIS (You can gather words anywhere--our texts, ones from your other classes, etc.  Try to pick words that will serve you well in life and all your classes, so one that aren't too specific to a certain field.):

 

WORD                      WORD FORM                                            DEFINITION

Propulsive                              adj.                              having the power to propel or push forward

Propulsively                            adv.

Propel                                     verb

 

EXAMPLE:

            On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, Inauguration Day for our 44^th President, Barack Obama, millions celebrated, turning Washington DC and cities across the US into propulsive places whose energy and hope could not be denied.  Aretha Franklin’s rendition of “America” created a palpable wave of emotion that lead to Poet, Elizabeth Alexander, who was commissioned to write and recite an occasional poem, a genre that began to honor leaders and commemorate ceremonies.  Obama seems to be bringing poetry back to the public through Alexander, who as a 1-year-old was carried to see Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech almost in the very same place.  Once Obama was sworn in and officially announced as President Obama, the crowd’s fervent cries rang out and he began his commencement speech.  He said a lot, thanking our progenitors, acknowledging the gravity of our economic situation, promising to work with nations in need, pointing out environmentally responsible energy alternatives, recognizing the hard work of Americans, ultimately calling upon us to endure with “hope and virtue.”