The Right Resource for the Job Dictionary, Thesaurus, Atlas, Internet, Rhyming Dictionary, Style Guide

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills 7.21 A Students are expected to spell correctly, including using various resources to determine and check spellings.

Dictionaries are arranged in alphabetical order. They usually provide: the spellings of words the parts of speech of the word the pronunciation of words the syllabification of words the definitions of words sometimes have etymology of words sometimes include antonyms or synonyms of words sometimes include images with the words * Useful for editing for spelling.

Thesauruses are arranged in alphabetical order. They usually provide: synonyms for the word parts of speech for the word sometimes provide antonyms for the word *Useful for revising for better word choice.

How to Find a Word If you can sound out a word and at least narrow down a couple first sounds, you should be able to track down your word in a dictionary. The tops of the pages have guide words that help you place where the word may be. The guide words are the first and last words from that page.

“ I don’t see my word!” Sometimes you are going to have to get “close” to the spelling and then you will have to patiently read every word on the page until you find it. Using a dictionary takes careful and close reading. Often, students don’t see the word right away and they give up. Stick with it. You will usually find it.

The Oxford Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus second edition This reference is a “combo.” It is a combination of both a dictionary and a thesaurus. Because of this, it doesn’t always have a definition and a synonym for every word. Some words only have synonyms and some words only have definitions. It does have some useful appendices that include a Punctuation Guide that literally describes and provides examples of many types of punctuation.