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Once you're set to
learn new vocabulary
words, now comes the
challenge of actually
retaining them for later
use. In speech and writing,
one common problem is
the use of malapropisms;
that is, misusing words
when confused by their
similar sound. For instance,
saying it's a "mute
point" when you really
mean "moot point." Such
mistakes can be embarrassing,
but avoided if you gain
a good handle of your
vocabulary. To learn
a new word is one thing,
but to learn it correctly
and remember it right,
that's what you want.
Here are 10 tips for
learning new words (correctly).
Tip 1, Reading:
When working from
a vocabulary list, we
often try and create
context and associations
for words to remember
their meaning. The benefit
of reading - in addition
to enriching the mind
- is that the context
is already provided.
From context, you can
more often than not,
gather the meaning of
a word you're otherwise
unfamiliar with. It's
always a good idea to
also look up words,
just to be sure; but
through reading, instead
of having to think up
context yourself, the
book or article, essay
or play, has kindly
done so for you.
Tip 2, Writing:
It's one of the
lost arts of the modern-day
world, what with all
the short cuts that
exist via text-messaging
and email/online language.
The days of beautiful
letter-writing have
long gone and with it,
our vocabulary has also
suffered. To improve
upon yours, one way
to do so is to write,
write, write. For new
vocabulary words especially,
finding ways to seamlessly
integrate them into
your writing could do
wonders for memorization.
Tip 3, Everyday
Conversation: After
learning a new word(s),
it's always a good idea
to use it. Again, to
do so will help your
brain create context
and associations that
you'll be able to pull
from later on. If you
don't want to be pretentious
and use a new fancy
word with your friends,
then do so in a discussion
forum or some form of
correspondence (see:
Tip 2).
Tip 4, Word of the
Day: When learning
a new vocabulary, try
and do so at a suitable
pace. (Unless when cramming
for a test.) Expanding
one's vocabulary never
ends and what needs
to be remembered is
that once a word is
learned, it's usually
for the long haul. By
contrast, if you bombard
your mind with hundreds
of words at once, it
becomes more difficult
to create individual
situations/context for
each and every. Thereby,
memorization could be
short-lived. Word-of-the-day
calendars for instance,
aim to teach you one
new word per day, giving
you time to use it within
24 hours, in a piece
of writing, a chat,
a soliloquy. If you're
studying from vocabulary
lists though, try and
learn 20 or so words
in every set. By dividing
lists into such sections,
you'll be able to pace
yourself better, as
well as backtrack more
easily, should you need
to.
Tip 5, Look Up Words:
The "word of the
day" idea brings us
to our next tip, which
is to get into the habit
of looking up unfamiliar
words when you come
across them. It never
hurts to look up words
you're curious about.
If you're prompted to
do so, chances are the
context is ready and
waiting. Don't get into
the habit of glossing
over unfamiliar words
and moving on. Make
an effort to learn them.
Tip 6, Word Puzzles
and Challenges:
If you wish to personally
challenge your mind,
then nothing could be
better than word puzzles
created to do just that.
From crosswords to Scrabble,
there are a number of
approaches to take that
will demand you engage
your brain's collection
of words. If you perform
such exercises over
and again, it will aid
you in learning new
words, too. As your
vocabulary expands,
the well you effortlessly
pull from will also.
Tip 7, Mnemonics:
For serious studying,
mnemonics can be extremely
helpful. These memory
tricks help our minds
create clever associations
for words, which in
turn aid in the proper
memorization of them.
With mnemonics, your
mind creates a link
between the unknown
"new" word and a known
"old" word. This is
achieved through a rhyme
or keyword, an image,
a saying, a sentence,
or a tune you won't
forget.
Tip 8, Vocabulary
Lists: And then
there's the vocabulary
list. If you are focused
on learning new words,
such lists are the perfect
starting point for assessing
words you know and words
you don't. From the
list of unknowns, you
can then start to check
off those you would
like to know and then
apply the tips above
1-7.
Tip 9, Don't Overload:
While it's terrific
that you're enthusiastic
about words and language,
it's important to not
overload your brain
with too many definitions,
contexts, and associations
at once. You wouldn't
want to remember these
great new words for
a test and then the
next day, when there's
no pressure to "know"
them, suddenly lose
them. Retention of what
you learn is always
a challenge; finding
the right pace for you
specifically is key
to being successful
in doing so (see: Tip
4).
Tip 10, Indulge
Your Curiosity: Pay
close attention to words
and their meaning and
make an effort to wonder:
about word origin, proper
use, and common misuse.
In the end, be the one
to spot the malapropism,
not the one who commits
it!
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