Focus on Vocabulary: Relate Words
• Synonyms
Synonyms are words that have nearly the same meaning, or different shades of meaning. For example, one word might create a stronger feeling than its synonym does. Knowing the exact meanings of synonyms can help you to better understand what you read.
| EXAMPLE | Most of Lee’s poems are funny, but her newest one is hilarious. |
A Synonym Scale can help you understand how words are related.
“ Hilarious is a stronger word than funny. I think I’d like the newest poem best.”
How to Use the Strategy
The more words about a concept you know, the better you’ll understand what people say and be able to express your own ideas.
1. Whenever you read, take time to learn new words.
2. Put words into groups to see how they are connected.
3. Use a Synonym Scale to rank synonyms in order of their strength.
Use the strategy to figure out the shades of meaning of the underlined words.
Strategy in Action
“ Delighted and thrilled both describe “happy,” but thrilled is stronger.”
REMEMBER Use shades of meanings of synonyms to better understand what you read.