Thinking critically about dictionaries, vocabulary, and spelling
This is a two-part activity. When you have finished responding, click Submit after each part to record your answer. If your instructor has assigned this activity, you must answer both parts before your answers will be submitted to the gradebook.
Reading with an eye for vocabulary
In his autobiography, Malcolm X says that he taught himself to write by reading and copying the dictionary. You can teach yourself to be a better writer by paying careful attention to the way other writers use words. Choose a writer whose work you admire, and read that author’s work for at least thirty minutes, noting six or seven words that you would not ordinarily have thought to use. Do a little dictionary investigative work on these words, and record your results in the box below.
In his autobiography, Malcolm X says that he taught himself to write by reading and copying the dictionary. You can teach yourself to be a better writer by paying careful attention to the way other writers use words. Choose a writer whose work you admire, and read that author’s work for at least thirty minutes, noting six or seven words that you would not ordinarily have thought to use. Do a little dictionary investigative work on these words, and record your results in the box below.
In his autobiography, Malcolm X says that he taught himself to write by reading and copying the dictionary. You can teach yourself to be a better...
Thinking about your own vocabulary and spelling
Read over a piece of your recent writing. Underline any words you think could be improved on, and come up with several possible substitutes. Then look for any words whose meanings are not absolutely clear to you, and check them in your dictionary. Have you used any of them incorrectly for your context? Finally, double-check spelling throughout. What do you notice about the words you use?
Read over a piece of your recent writing. Underline any words you think could be improved on, and come up with several possible substitutes. Then look for any words whose meanings are not absolutely clear to you, and check them in your dictionary. Have you used any of them incorrectly for your context? Finally, double-
Read over a piece of your recent writing. Underline any words you think could be improved on, and come up with several possible substitutes. Then...