Read and Watch: Vocabulary Strategies

Overview

Reading strategies are an integral part of student success. One key reading strategy is figuring out the meaning to unknown words

Read

Research shows that one of the most important indicators of students success with college reading is vocabulary. Collecting, learning and using new words is crucial to improving comprehension.  

There are three main strategies for figuring out the meaning of unknown words:

  1. using the context
  2. using word parts
  3. using reference materials, like the dictionary, your phone, or a friend

Although all three of these strategies work well, the first two should be tried first because the brain work of figuring words out on your own will help you remember them. If you always get help from reference materials, you will never improve your own vocabulary skills.

Watch

The following video demonstrates strategies for guessing or approximating the meaning of unknown words while you read:

How to Figure Out a Word You Don't Know [5:03]Play media comment.

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