1. Using a Thesaurus

2. What is a thesaurus?
A thesaurus is a resource that lists groups of synonyms (Oxford English Dictionary).
A synonym is “a word or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word or phrase in the same language, for example shut is a synonym of close” (Oxford English Dictionary).
Similarly, a synonym can also mean “a person or thing so closely associated with a particular quality or idea that the mention of their name calls it to mind” (Oxford English Dictionary). For example, “Puritan” refers to a religious group, known for its simplicity and strictness and the word “puritanical” means very strict or austere.
Overall, a thesaurus is in some ways similar to a dictionary. They are both comprehensive lists of words and the words are listed alphabetically. However, instead of giving a definition of a word, it provides a list of synonyms.

3. Why would you use a thesaurus?
The convention for most college papers is to avoid repeating the same word multiple times in a paper. For example, if I was writing about a political issue, using the word “issue” over and over can become boring and distract the reader from the argument you are making. This might be a time to look up words that have similar definitions to the word “issue.”
Words also have connotations. A connotation is “an idea or feeling which a word invokes for a person in addition to its literal or primary meaning” (Oxford English Dictionary). Sometimes words can have similar definitions but very different connotations. For example, “anger” and “rage” have similar definitions but “rage” has a much more intense connotation than “anger”. Depending on what your argument is, sometimes you may need a word with a different connotation.

4. Where can I find a thesaurus?
The Writing Center: We have lots of resources for you to use, including thesauruses! Check the shelf of books at the Lake Shore Campus
The Libraries: All of our libraries will have access to thesauruses. Check the stacks or the online catalogues.
Online: There are a number of free online thesauruses. Check out these links: