Academic Vocabulary Keys To Success

Academic Vocabulary “Acquiring academic language, the language that is used in schools, testing and in scholarly discourse, is the key to success…” Dr. Robin Scarcella UC, Irvine

Academic Vocabulary What is academic vocabulary? language used in various textbooks, assignments, content area standards, and examinations words that explain what you read or create, what your assignment asks you to do provide specific details about what you must do and provide very important information about how to do an assignment You cannot expect to succeed on assignments if you do not understand the directions. Jim Burke

Academic Vocabulary List ExplicitImplicitSubjectiveObjective Prior Knowledge DiscourseAffectEffectDemonstrateJustifyRelevantParaphraseSummarizeCoherentCohesionComprehensiveToneAnalyzeSynthesizePlagiarize

Academic Vocabulary Definitions Explicit -fully and clearly expressed; directly and clearly developed and formulated Implicit – contained or inherent; implied; indirect

A. V. Definitions cont. Objective – undistorted by emotions and personal bias Subjective – appraised by emotions and personal bias

A. V. Definitions cont. Affect – (a.) a cause (b.) to produce an effect or change in; to impress the mind or move the feelings of Effect – a result; consequence

A. V. Definitions cont. Relevant – having to do with the topic/matter in question or discussed; germane; pertinent Justify – to show to be right; to show a satisfactory reason or excuse for something done Demonstrate –(a.) to make evident or establish by arguments or reasoning; prove (b.) to describe, explain, or illustrate by examples, specimens, experiments

A. V. Definitions cont. Prior Knowledge – information previously stored in memory. [It acts as a lens through which we view and absorb new information. It is a composite of who we are, based on what we have learned from both our academic and everyday experiences. (Kujawa and Huske, 1995)]

A. V. Definitions cont. Discourse - (a.) verbal communication; talk; conversation (b.) a formal treatment of a subject in speech or writing, such as a sermon or dissertation

A. V. Definitions cont. Comprehension – the capacity to understand Coherent – consistent and orderly; harmonious Cohesion – the act or process of sticking together

A. V. Cont. Tone – the attitude that the author or a character in a story/discourse takes on the audience, subject matter, or another character within the story/discourse

A. V. Definitions cont. Analyze – (a.) to break apart into components or essential features (b.) to examine carefully and in detail so as to identify causes, key factors, possible results, etc. Synthesize – to formulate a new idea/information from parts of materials/discourse Plagiarize –to take credit for someone else’s work. (copying, using illegally, or failing to cite source.)

Questions

Review/Quiz What are academic vocabulary? In what curriculum/capacity would av How would attaining a solid grasp of the av assist you in your life? What word(s) do need additional assistance for complete understanding?

References Beers, Kylene, Carol Jago, Deborah Appleman, Leila Christenbury, Sara Kajder, and Linda Rief. Elements of Literature Third Course. Austin, Texas: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Print. "Dr. Robin Scarcella." Meet the Authors. Web. 11 Jul Online.