Would slaying a dragon be easier than trying to figure out the crazy words your professor assigned? 

For many students unknown vocabulary can be challenging and frustrating.  Many students simply skip over unfamiliar words and then struggle to make meaning out of written text riddled with holes.  If you are experiencing similar difficulties please take a few minutes to learn some simple, yet helpful strategies for tackling vocabulary. 

  The first strategy is called Contextual Redefinition.  This strategy is designed to help students avoid trying to make meaning of an unfamiliar word in isolation.  Instead this strategy teaches you to use the surrounding text (sentences and words) to understand word meaning.  Context clues are other words in the text that may “give away” the meaning of a difficult vocabulary term and help you gain better understanding.     

To give Contextual Redefinition a try go to:

http://people.uncw.edu/sherrilld/edn356/notes/contextual_redefinition.html

 Be sure to look at the example to understand how to use this strategy.

- contributed by Staci Hines, LTCY 524