Vocabulary and Word Choice Presented by the Texas A&M International University Writing Center

Vocabulary

Why should you improve your vocabulary?  Having an extended vocabulary allows you to express your thoughts more clearly and effectively.  Communicating your ideas effectively in writing is one of the most important factors in your success at the university level.

How can you improve your vocabulary?  Read well-written publications, such as the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal.  Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words through context clues.  Write down unfamiliar words and look them up in a dictionary.  Keep a vocabulary journal, and make a point of using one new word in conversation every day.  Make flash cards, and use new words often.  Use a thesaurus – with caution. Words in a thesaurus are related, but they do not always have the same meaning. Example: “The teacher thought her students were bright.” This would not be the same as saying, “The teacher thought her students were radiant.”

Roots and Affixes  Roots are the words that affixes are added to. Prefixes and suffixes are known as affixes. Knowing the most common roots and affixes can help you figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.  Example: Audi is a root word that means “to hear.” If the suffix - tion (which refers to the condition or state of “to move”) is added to the root word audi, then the word audition is formed. Audition refers to a trial performance intended to demonstrate a personal skill ( i.e. acting).

Prefixes A prefix is a word unit that is added to the beginning of a root word to form a new word. A prefix is a word unit that is added to the beginning of a root word to form a new word. One of the most common prefixes is “un.” Knowing “un” means “not,” one could understand not only “uncommon” and “unusual,” but many other words that begin with “un.” One of the most common prefixes is “un.” Knowing “un” means “not,” one could understand not only “uncommon” and “unusual,” but many other words that begin with “un.” Another prefix is “sub,” which means “below.” When added to “marine” which means “of or pertaining to the sea,” one could conclude that “submarine” refers to something below the sea. Another prefix is “sub,” which means “below.” When added to “marine” which means “of or pertaining to the sea,” one could conclude that “submarine” refers to something below the sea.

Suffixes A suffix is a word unit that is added to the end of a root word to form a new word. A suffix is a word unit that is added to the end of a root word to form a new word. They often change the part of speech of a word so that a noun can be used as an adverb or an adjective can be used as a noun. They often change the part of speech of a word so that a noun can be used as an adverb or an adjective can be used as a noun. Some common suffixes are -s, -es, -ed, -ing, -ly, - ion, -tion, -ation, -able, -ible, -al, -ial, -y, -ness, -ity, -ment, -ous, -ful, -ive, -ative, -ful, -less, -est, etc. Some common suffixes are -s, -es, -ed, -ing, -ly, - ion, -tion, -ation, -able, -ible, -al, -ial, -y, -ness, -ity, -ment, -ous, -ful, -ive, -ative, -ful, -less, -est, etc.

Roots A root word is the basic core element of a word, exclusive of affixes (suffixes or prefixes). A root word is the basic core element of a word, exclusive of affixes (suffixes or prefixes). As a result, most root words function as nouns. As a result, most root words function as nouns. Some common root words are astro (star); dict (speak, tell); geo (earth); min (small); phon (sound); port (carry); spect (see); bio (life); etc. Some common root words are astro (star); dict (speak, tell); geo (earth); min (small); phon (sound); port (carry); spect (see); bio (life); etc. Knowing these roots can help you determine the meaning of astrophysics, remit, pedestal, spectator, phonograph, and many other words. Knowing these roots can help you determine the meaning of astrophysics, remit, pedestal, spectator, phonograph, and many other words.

Putting It All Together Using your knowledge of roots and affixes, try and figure out the meaning of the following words: subjugation, anachronism, ecology. Using your knowledge of roots and affixes, try and figure out the meaning of the following words: subjugation, anachronism, ecology.

Choosing Effective Words

Avoid Slang  Slang is often used when talking to friends. It is language that is familiar and comfortable to us.  However, slang should be avoided when writing formal essays.  Visiting my relatives every day was a real drag. (tiresome)  Laura didn’t want to make waves. (cause disharmony)

 Most of the writing done in college courses has a serious tone; therefore, a formal level of language should be used.  In academic writing, generally avoid using slang and colloquial expressions. Informal Since she worked hard on her assignment, she was sure her grade would be wicked.Since she worked hard on her assignment, she was sure her grade would be wicked. Canada is considered one of the coolest countries to live in.Canada is considered one of the coolest countries to live in.Formal Since she worked hard on her assignment, she was sure her grade would be great.Since she worked hard on her assignment, she was sure her grade would be great. Canada is considered one of the best countries to live in.Canada is considered one of the best countries to live in.

Avoid Clichés  A cliché is an expression that has been worn out through constant use.  It is easy for someone to casually say something like, "The conversation I had with my boyfriend was short and sweet."  Following are some other examples: live and let live no guts, no glory time will tell what goes around, comes around life goes on beauty is only skin deep one step at a time nobody is perfect

Be Precise  Vague words force the reader to guess what you mean.  It is best to choose words that express exactly what you want to say.  An example of this would be, “Our conversation was nice.”  An adjective, such as thought-provoking, interesting, or informative, should be used in place of nice to specifically explain what the conversation was like.

Be Accurate  If you are unsure about the meaning of a specific word, you may want to look it up in a dictionary. This will help you make sure that your sentence says exactly what you intended. Wrong - My roommate has a dominate personality that is very intimidating. Correct - My roommate has a dominant personality that is very intimidating. Wrong - Did you pay for airplane fair already? Wrong - Did you pay for airplane fair already? Correc t- Did you pay for the airplane fare already? Correc t- Did you pay for the airplane fare already? Wrong - It is not certain whether he excepted the task. Wrong - It is not certain whether he excepted the task. Correct - It is not certain whether he accepted the task. Correct - It is not certain whether he accepted the task.

This Concludes our Workshop on Vocabulary and Word Choice! Thank You!