“All of us possess a reading vocabulary as big as a lake but draw from a writing vocabulary as small as a pond.”
– Roy Peter Clark
Have you ever caught yourself using the same words over and over again in a single piece of text? Or perhaps you’ve been wanting to write and speak more eloquently, but don’t know where to start? Well fear not, for I have some vocabulary building tips that may just help you out!
Save New Words
Over the years, as we’ve all grown closer to the language, there have probably been less and less instances of coming across a word which you don’t know. However, in cases where that does happen, it can help to save the word. A quick search online or in a dictionary will give you the context you need when reading, and if it seems like a word that you’d use in your own writing or speech, take a screenshot or write down the definition. It really can come in handy when you least expect it!
Create a Vocabulary Journal
When I first heard of a vocabulary journal, I didn’t quite know what to expect of it. However, I’ve found that it has helped me quite a lot. Somewhat drawing on the previous point, you may eventually gather a massive pool of words that you don’t really know what to do with. Maybe you’ve gotten into the habit of using a handful of words, but have forgotten most. That’s completely fine — in fact, it would be absurd to expect you to immediately memorize every single new word. That’s where a vocabulary journal can come in handy.
A vocabulary journal can really be customized in any way to suit each individual. Personally, I don’t only stick with words that I do not know, but also use words that I do know, but would like to further ingrain into my daily vocabulary. Take, for example, the word ‘archaic.’ By the time I had added it to my journal, I had a vague idea of its appropriate use and meaning. To me, it is a fascinating word that can be used in awe striking and chilling ways.
An entry to my vocabulary journal essentially looks like this:
Archaic – adj.
Very old or old-fashioned, no longer in everyday use.
Example sentence: “A term with a rather archaic ring to it” – Oxford Languages
Practice sentence: “Her eyes swept over the grand buildings, dusty and archaic in a way that should not be tainted by modern-day greed. They looked just as they had in her memories, and her chest clenched with something painful as she surveyed the landscape.”
Essentially, I write down the word and definition, then find a use of it, usually from a dictionary. Finally, I write one or two sentences using the word, and then occasionally come back to it to really familiarize myself with the word.
Make a List of Synonyms
Often, I find myself unintentionally using the same word over and over again in my writing. More specifically, I tend to use the term “as though” and similar iterations of it multiple times in one paragraph alone. In a situation like this, I’ve found that a list of synonyms helps. Ever since I learned how to use one, the thesaurus has been my best friend, more so than even a dictionary.
However, to prevent yourself from having to pause in your writing to look up synonyms for a word online, it may just help to put together a list. The first thing you should do is to go through your writing, and identify those words and terms that you seem to use repetitively. Take my example of “as though.” My synonym list for that term consists of words like similarly, akin to, evidently, such as, and namely. These lists have sped up my writing speed by taking away the time when I have had to stop to search up synonyms.
Download Vocab Apps
The last piece of advice that I have for expanding your writing vocabulary is to download a word of the day app, or even one with flashcards so that you can practice the vocabulary that you already know. In a way, this trick is similar to learning a new language.
A word of the day app can introduce you to new words and meanings within a relevant context, and you can take screenshots to use later in a vocabulary journal, or put into flashcards and sentences.
Enjoy the Writing Process
Though it is a sentiment that has become somewhat of a cliché, it is still very true. Expanding your vocabulary and practicing with sentences, entries, and other methods are all things that help you to further enjoy and immerse yourself into your writing. Never forget that practice is the best way to improve, and through understanding the context that a word belongs in, and the time and place to use each synonym, you can become better spoken, better received, and considered more cogent.
