DICTIONARY Get to know your

Dictionaries are books that list all the words in a language.

We use a dictionary when we need to know: -How to spell a word -What a word means -How to say a word -What part of speech a word is -How many syllables are in a word -Whether or not to capitalize a word -How to abbreviate a word (ex= USA) -Meanings of prefixes and suffixes for a word

How is a Dictionary Organized?

To make dictionaries easier to use, the words are organized in alphabetical order.

Since there are so many words in a dictionary, guide words are used to help you locate a word quickly.

Guide words are found at the top of each page Guide words are found at the top of each page. They tell you the first and last word that is found on that page.

How do guide words help you find a word quickly? Look at the guide words Use what you know about alphabetizing to decide if your word falls between the two guide words

These days, we have lots of places to look up words - not just the dictionary!

You can look up words while typing on your computer: In Microsoft Word, simply right click on the word you are trying to define.

You can also use www. dictionary You can also use www.dictionary.com to look up words when you are on the computer!

Dictionary Definitions What do they mean?

Have you ever looked up the definition for a word in the dictionary? If so, then you might have been confused by some of the parts of that definition.

Today, we’re going to learn what each part of a definition means.

flag (flag) This is a definition for flag: noun A piece of cloth with a pattern or symbol of a country, an organization, etc. verb To stop, or to signal. We flagged down the police officer.

flag (flag) noun A piece of cloth with a pattern or symbol of a country, an organization, etc. verb To stop, or to signal. We flagged down the police officer. The word being defined is followed by the pronunciation in parenthesis.

flag (flag) The first word tells the word’s part of speech noun A piece of cloth with a pattern or symbol of a country, an organization, etc. verb To stop, or to signal. We flagged down the police officer.

The next section is the actual definition of the word. noun A piece of cloth with a pattern or symbol of a country, an organization, etc. verb To stop, or to signal. We flagged down the police officer.

noun A piece of cloth with a pattern or symbol of a country, an organization, etc. verb To stop, or to signal. We flagged down the police officer. Finally, you might see a sentence showing how the word is used. Especially if the use is not the most common for the word.

How do I decide which Definition to use? Decide how the word is used. Read all meanings of the word given to you. Imagine a blank space in the sentence where the word appears. Substitute the meaning you feel is correct into that sentence. If the sentence still makes sense, then you have the correct definition.

Now you know how to use a dictionary!

DICTIONARY ACTIVITY: Using context clues from the novel and a dictionary, your group will define 8-15 words from your vocabulary list (I will provide these). Individually, you will respond in writing to a prompt, using each word correctly. As you use the words, be sure to include context clues for your reader!

Using a THESAURUS

What is a Thesaurus? A thesaurus is a book that can help you find words with the same or similar meanings. (No, a thesaurus is NOT a kind of dinosaur)

Why use a Thesaurus? To avoid using the same word over and over To find a word that has the same or similar meaning To find the opposite of a word To learn new words To make your writing more interesting or exciting

How do I use a Thesaurus? A thesaurus is arranged very much like a dictionary. Alphabetical order Guide words Entries A thesaurus entry usually has: Headword in BOLD Part of speech Synonyms (words with same or similar meaning) Antonyms (words with opposite meanings)

You can find synonyms for words while typing on your computer: In Microsoft Word, simply right click on the word you are trying to change.

THESAURUS ACTIVITY: Sometimes words can be overused or simply dull. Read the following passage and change the overused words (marked) to strong verbs and creative adjectives. Use the thesaurus to discover unique words.

Once upon a time there was an old woman and a little boy Once upon a time there was an old woman and a little boy. The woman said, “I will bake you a gingerbread man.” She put it in the oven and said, “When it smells good, call me. Do not open the oven door.” Then she went outside to work. The little boy sat in the kitchen waited. Then he opened the oven and looked in. It looked nice. The gingerbread man got out of the oven and went across the kitchen to the door. The little boy went to shut the door, but the gingerbread man was too fast.

Now, apply this to your novel by changing the underlined words, and then adding your own strong sentence at the end: CRISPIN “John Aycliffe is trying to kill me and I know not why. I have done nothing wrong! I am an orphan boy who has just lost his mother. I am so scared! The man is evil!”

Don’t forget to add your own sentence! Try another one… JOHN AYCLIFFE: “I want to catch that rotten little serf Crispin! I almost killed him with my sword, but the rat got away. He will not destroy my family. That boy is evil!” Don’t forget to add your own sentence!

Now, apply this to your novel by changing the underlined words, and then adding your own strong sentence at the end : CATHERINE: “My father is so mean. He brings me ugly, stupid men to marry. He makes me feel so bad. I want to run away. The paragraph also sounds “choppy.” Combine some of the sentences to make a stronger impression!

Don’t forget to add your own sentence and combine where needed! Try another one… ROLLO: “My daughter does not listen. She does what she wants. Why is she always writing in that dumb book? Don’t forget to add your own sentence and combine where needed!