Primary Sources of Vocabulary

You may already be familiar with the various books and other products designed to improve your vocabulary. But just in case you’re not up to speed, here’s the basic menu, along with some candid advice about each item:

There aren’t too many of these books available, and most of the ones you’ll find are one-size-fits-all. They include easier as well as advanced-level words, and they’re designed not just for one test but also for all standardized tests, such as the SAT Reasoning Test and the MAT (Miller Analogies Test). But you can quickly skip over the words you already know. What’s more, the various standardized tests usually cover the same kinds of words. Put one of these books at the top of your vocabulary prep list.

You’ll find only a few software products dedicated to vocabulary testing. But most comprehensive software products include extensive vocabulary lists in an interactive format. Typically, you can choose the vocabulary level you want and click for various types of information about the word and about related words. These programs are often very engaging and very efficient. By all means, take advantage of this type of resource.

In the typical book, you’ll find something like a “hot 500” or “top 250” list, usually including sample sentences, and possibly a longer word list as well, organized alphabetically. In fact, in the back of this book you’ll find just such a list. By all means, review vocabulary lists such as ours. But if you’re very serious about vocabulary, expect to make only a small dent with these lists.

Flashcards are not just for grammar-school kids. With most flashcard products, the back of each card contains not just a definition of the word on the front, but also useful information such as sample sentences and related words (synonyms and antonyms). Some products even include cartoon pictures (either on the back or the front) and other mnemonic devices that can help “fix” the word’s meaning in your mind. Flashcards can be fun and engaging, especially if you and a friend quiz one another. But they’re not very efficient, so they shouldn’t be at the top of your list of vocabulary resources.