z You might also mark unfamiliar words to look up later so that you
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a set of words in the dictionary; look at all the meanings of a
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all the important information about the word in your vocabulary
QRWHERRNLQFOXGLQJLWVGH¿QLWLRQSDUWRIVSHHFKDQGPRUSKRORJ\z Finally, take a few minutes more to examine a number of usage
examples. Instead of waiting until the next time you happen to
encounter the unfamiliar word, this step allows you to experience
it several times in rich context. Webster’s Third New International
Dictionary is known for having a number of excellent usage
examples, as is vocabulary.com, a free online dictionary.Golden Lines
z This discussion of context brings up another critical aspect of
vocabulary knowledge: knowing how to use words—even relatively
simple words—effectively to communicate what you want. And
there is no better way to get a feel for how to use words effectively
than by examining great writing.
z Consider this memorable quotation from the great Indian prime
minister Indira Gandhi: “You cannot shake hands with a clenched
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vocabulary because you know all the words already. But it could
also be argued that knowing how to craft a beautiful sentence with
the precise word—even a simple one—is perhaps the ultimate goal
of building a better vocabulary.z In your vocabulary notebook, create a section called “The Golden
Line.” As you come across a turn of phrase that stuns you with its
beauty, or cuts right through you, or makes you laugh, record it in
this section of your notebook to enjoy over and over. You might
even try to memorize some of your golden lines; memorizing
forces you to delve into the meaning of the words and allows you to
develop a feel for the music and rhythm of the language.