subject: A Word Identification Strategy [print this page] A Word Identification Strategy A Word Identification Strategy
The English language has borrowed heavily from Greek and Latin. This may be one reason that when you read, you encounter words which that are sometimes vague, in a sense that it seems common or familiar to you and yet, you do not know the meaning of the word. This is where the Word Identification Strategy comes in. It enables you to analyze a new vocabulary for you to understand what the word represents.
Below are the steps of identifying words to enhance your vocabulary in using the word identification strategy. Each step explains a way to carry out whenever you encounter an indistinct word. Use the following methods until the word is defined and you will see that your word power will be increased tremendously.
1. EXAMINE the word AGAIN
Look at the word over again. As you analyze the word the second time, utter the letters composing the word. This allows you to examine the word more carefully. There are instances that constantly examining the word makes us recall it.
2. READ THE SENTENCE
Unfamiliar terms can at times be determined through its use in a sentence. Through this step, you will be able to identify the definition of the word by knowing its usage.
3. PREFIX
Read if the word contains a prefix. Remember that a prefix is attached to the beginning of the words to modify its meaning. To guide you, here are some examples: transfinite, declass, commix
4. FIND A SUFFIX
Like in the step 3, read if the word contains (now) a suffix. Recall that a suffix is a letter or group of letters added at the end of a word. An example is provided for you: cartoonist
5. FIND THE STEM
The stem is the base of the word where a prefix or a suffix is added. Look for the stem in a word; remove the prefix or the suffix to identify the stem. There are times that the word can be identified if the word is in its base form. Here are examples with their stems underlined: declass, cartoonist, infirmary
6. BREAKDOWN and SYLLABICATE
Examine the word if both a prefix and a suffix are attached to the stem. Breakdown the word and syllabicate them as per prefix stem suffix. As the stem is exposed, determine if you can now define or relate the word. For example, pro consul ate; note that consul is related to government.
7. USE A DICTIONARY
Luckily, you brought along a dictionary when you came across a word which is unfamiliar to you.
Use the dictionary to identify the word. Look for the words' phonetic respelling; this will help you pronounce the word. This is the characters enclosed in a bracket such as this []. Example, homogeneous is pronounced as [h mjjnss, h mjjnss]. The dictionary may be the best way to identify the word through its definition. Choose the best definition of the word which best applies to the sentence.
8. ASK
If you have reached this point and still unable to identify that word, ask someone. It might be your teacher, your parents, or your classmate to help you identify the word.
