Multiple Meanings and Multiple Entries

Multiple Meanings and Multiple Entries

Many words have more than one meaning. We call these multiple meaning words. There are two main types of multiple meaning words:

• those that sound alike (also known as homographic homophones, or homonyms) -- "Scale the fish completely before weighing it on the scale."
• those that sound different (also known as homographic heterophones, or heteronyms) -- "I drove down the windy road on a windy day."

Within these two main groups, multiple meaning words can have differences:

• different capitalization -- "You may see a rainbow in May."
• different punctuation -- "I sent my résumé hoping to find a job and resume working."
• different parts of speech -- "I like to run" (verb) vs. "I like to go for a run" (noun)
• different tense -- "I would like to read the book you just read."
• different degrees (literal or figurative) -- "The general ranks above the corporal" vs. "The plane flies above the rooftops."

Using the Dictionary

Using the Dictionary

A dictionary can be a very handy tool. Besides helping with spelling and word meanings, being able to use a dictionary effectively and regularly is a perfect way to improve your English language skills through the dictionary's range of other helpful information on everyday language usage and grammar. This article will explain how to make the most of using your dictionary.

Guide Words and Entries

When all else fails,you can always refer to a dictionary to find the correct spelling of a word. A dictionary will show you the correct spelling of a word, how to pronounce the word and sometimes will include sample sentences. In order to correctly and quickly use a dictionary, it is important to understand what guide words are and how to use them.

Guide words appear at the top of each dictionary page. The word in the left corner is the first entry on the page and the word in the right corner is the last entry on the page. Guide words enable you to locate a word quickly.

Context Clues to Word Meanings

Context Clues to Word Meanings

When you encounter a vocabulary word with which you are unfamiliar, what do you do?  Use the context clues to determine the word’s meaning.

What are Context Clues?

Context clues are hints in the sentence that help good readers figure out the meanings of unfamiliar words. When we look at the “context” of a word, we look at how it is being used. Based on how these words are used, and on our knowledge of the other words in the sentence, we make an educated prediction as to what the challenging vocabulary word may mean.

Modifiers

A modifier is a word or phrase that adds detail or description to a sentence. In the example sentences below, the modifiers are underlined.

• I walked in and out of dozens of stores yesterday, searching for the perfect purse.
• Shopping with Lisa today, I found a great purse.

While modifiers add detail and interest to sentences, they must be used carefully so that the reader understands the details being added. Writers generally make two major modifier mistakes: dangling modifiers and misplaced modifiers.

Sentence or Paragraph

     The sentence(s) or paragraph that comes after or before the unknown word explains what the word means.

Skimming and Scanning

Skimming and Scanning 

Skimming refers to the process of reading only main ideas within a passage to get an overall impression of the content of a reading  selection.

How to Skim:

* Read the title.

* Read the introduction or the first paragraph.

* Read the first sentence of every other paragraph.

* Read any headings and sub-headings.

* Notice any pictures, charts, or graphs.

* Notice any italicized or boldface words or phrases.

* Read the summary or last paragraph.

Scanning is a reading technique to be used when you want to find specific information quickly. In scanning you have a question in your mind and you read a passage only to find the answer, ignoring unrelated information.

How to Scan:

* State the specific information you are looking for.

* Try to anticipate how the answer will appear and what clues you might use to help you locate the answer. For example, if you were looking for a certain date, you would quickly read the paragraph looking only for numbers.

* Use headings and any other aids that will help you identify which sections might contain the information you are looking for.

* Selectively read and skip through sections of the passage.

Sequencing the Events

Sequencing the Events

What does Sequence of Events mean?

The word "sequence" means to put something in order from first to last.

Sequence of events in a story is the order in which the events happen.

Why is Sequence of Events an important reading strategy?

Knowing the sequence of events in a story helps us to picture what is happening and when.  It helps

make the story clear and easy to follow.  When events are not in order, the story becomes blurry and

hard to follow. 

We also use sequence of events to understand how to do daily activities like following a list of directions 

when cooking or building something.

How do we use sequence of events to help us understand what we are reading?

As you read, ask yourself, "What happened first?  What happened next?"

Look for sequence words such as:  first, next, before, after, then, and finally

Picture the story in your mind as you are reading. 

Think about what the character did first, second, and so forth.