ATAR Notes: Forum
VCE Stuff => VCE English Studies => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE English & EAL => Topic started by: Marmalade on December 05, 2015, 11:48:05 pm
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Hallo everyone!
So it's finally the holidays and I thought I'd use this time to improve my rather lackluster vocabulary so far by reading more and making sure to note down all the words I don't know the meaning of. This method is great, but I'm not sure exactly how to transcend from simply recognizing and understanding the words into actively utilising them in my writing. They don't come naturally to my brain, and even if I instinctly know a word that would fit perfectly into the context of my sentence, I sit there with a mental blank for a minute or so just trying to recollect it.
Does anyone else have these troubles? Or do you have any advice to mitigate them? Thanks and good luck for next year! :D
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Hallo everyone!
So it's finally the holidays and I thought I'd use this time to improve my rather lackluster vocabulary so far by reading more and making sure to note down all the words I don't know the meaning of. This method is great, but I'm not sure exactly how to transcend from simply recognizing and understanding the words into actively utilising them in my writing. They don't come naturally to my brain, and even if I instinctly know a word that would fit perfectly into the context of my sentence, I sit there with a mental blank for a minute or so just trying to recollect it.
Does anyone else have these troubles? Or do you have any advice to mitigate them? Thanks and good luck for next year! :D
It's a good idea to include synonyms and example sentences in your list. Personally I use flash cards on top of that but it's definitely not necessary. Write practice whatevers with your list with you and make sure you include x-number of new words, even if you're not completely confident with them. Obviously you can't bring your list into SACs and the like but it's a good start - it's kind of like a more complex look-say-cover-write-check, if you were ever subjected that that.
I'm sure you weren't using 'transcended' comfortably (at all?) in sentences when you were six, so you're obviously capable of learning and applying new words, it's just a matter of practice ::)
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^ Absolutely :)
Remember to especially target a small list of words really related to your texts' particular themes and issues - when you have a small list you're particularly learning, you'll pick it up faster than learning random words (hey, today I'm going to learn what phlyctenular, sconce, zenithal, metely, ko, and verbarhypodactylum mean!)
And if you hit that word-on-the-tip-of-your-tongue-that-never-comes, just put down a dodgy substitute and underline it or put an asterisk in the margin - then later, you can pull out your vocab list or do synonyms searches in Word until you find that word. You can also just go through all your writing afterwards and find words that are too vague or overused, and replace them with more precise words. Don't expect it to happen quickly; it's a slow but steady process, as every time you use these words, they'll become just that little bit more familiar and 'normal'.
This post may or may not be helpful.
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I find having a notebook listing down all the words you're unfamiliar with and then using a web dictionary to write down its meaning and learning in pronunciation really handy.
Unfortunately that alone is insufficient if you want to expand your usable vocabulary. What you can do is to attempt to look at model sentences, so you can analyse how can it be used; attempt to construct your own sentences with them; and see if you can use them in spoken English by creating an imaginary conversation or actually try using it in an actual conversation.
To improve further, don't just aim for single words, also try to go for idioms like "taste your own medicine" and create your own metaphors like "the weather today is gloomy as if a thick layer of pollutant dust blanketed the atmosphere" (just thought of that one on the spot :P). I find using them really unleashes creativity and makes your writing a lot more expressive.
Building up vocabulary takes time and commitment, it's like saving up money in a bank account. Do it slowly and stick to it, and after a while you'll steadily improve ;D
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Okay, just on top of the issue of actually learning and remembering words, I want to encourage serious restraint in using them. For example, your post reads like you're trying to squash in lots of, fancy words (sorry). This is because of two reasons: firstly, not all (eg transcend, instinctly) are correct or used correctly; and secondly, others (eg utilising) are used where a more simple, direct word would do (and arguably do better) - eg 'using'. These are the two major signs that someone is using words in a forced way, and they come up a *lot* in VCE. Always go for the BEST word, even if it's simple: the best, most specific word for every situation will always result in work that sounds sophisticated and confident.