How Reading and Vocabulary Building Can Go Together
To effectively build your vocabulary, you need to learn how a particular word is spelled, what it means, and how to best use it in conversation or in writing. Reading can build your vocabulary in all the ways cited above, and the best part is that vocabulary-building will even happen unconsciously as you read. Ultimately, all you need to do is to find books that truly interest you. The rest will fall into place.
Look for contextual clues to understand an unfamiliar term.
It may be tempting to grab your dictionary the first time you encounter an unfamiliar term, but don't do that just yet. To better hone your comprehension skills, try to analyze what the term means based on its contextual clues alone. Read the paragraph or the entire page again if necessary.
If the above method does not work, then go ahead and grab the dictionary.
Sometimes, words can be used in a pretty obscure fashion, leaving you zero clues to base its definition on. If so, it's time to consult a good print or on-line dictionary.
When you have the definition in front you, try to think of another word that means the same thing and fits that definition. Replace the original term used with the synonym you've thought of in the sentence you're looking at. If the word still fits, then you can at least be sure you got its definition right.
Try out new authors.
Be a little adventurous when it comes to your reading and see what new authors have to offer. If you do not want to waste money on untried authors, then you can check out reviews first, or read an excerpt of their work. You can also join your local public library and get access to books for free (or at least for the cost of membership).
Excerpts of books are commonly available in the review and author websites as well as in online stores like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. These excerpts may already contain words that will help enhance your vocabulary. More importantly, however, is the fact that it gives you a chance to better gauge the writing style of the author. Does it appeal to you or should you skip to the next one in your list?
Try out new genres.
The vocabulary commonly employed by authors of romance fiction is significantly different from the ones used by, say, writers of suspense and writers of contemporary fiction.
Try comparing, for instance, the words used by Jane Austen to H.P. Lovecraft. The vocabulary is different, isn't it? That's not just because they're two extremely different types of writers. It's also because they write for different genres. You will notice, however, that there may be similar terms used in the writings of Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury, Edgar Allan Poe, and the great Stephen King. They may write for different generations of readers, but they all can be considered masters of horror.
As such, there is a limit to what you will learn from one particular genre. If you want to maximize the vocabulary-building benefits of reading, then you need to try out different genres of fiction.
Don't forget nonfiction!
Last but not the least, try to read nonfiction work from time to time. There are a lot to choose from, including but not limited to self-improvement guides, autobiographies and memoirs, or even coffee-table books. One of them is sure to catch your fancy – give it a try, and your vocabulary is sure to benefit.
NEXT LESSON: Interesting Ways to Use the Dictionary for Vocabulary Building