Libraries: Tutoring: Vocabulary

Vocabulary FAQ

The purpose of this tab is to help you with your writing style. How can you say something in a different way? Are you having trouble thinking of a better way to say something?

Do you need more information about grammar or punctuation? Visit our Grammar and Punctuation tab!

For information about avoiding plagiarism and how to paraphrase and summarize, go to the Avoiding Plagiarism and How to Cite subject tab.

The websites we post are to help you, the student. If you encounter a link that is no longer active (for example, some sites change their addresses), please, contact the Upwsing LibGuide's administrator directly so she can replace it: ioanna.panos@hccs.edu. To better serve you, be as precise as possible about the name of the link and where you found it. **To outside entities, no soliciting links or services from your business or organization. The purpose of our resource center is to help our students with their coursework. We do not help companies or organizations advertise their services.**

Vocabulary - Handouts

"Little Red Riding Hood" Revisited
The story of Little Red Riding Hood is written in three ways so you can see the differences between unacceptable and acceptable styles of writing for college.
20 Strong Verbs
Avoid the use of the verb to be and to get when not needed. Instead, condense and strengthen your sentences by editing unnecessary words or phrases and using strong verbs.
Examining Generalizations
Suggestions for avoiding generalizations in writing, so that you are more precise and avoid making logical fallacies.
Most Common Writing Blunders
Here is a quick references of some of the most common mistakes in word usage, bogus words, and sentence structure. Watch out for these errors in writing essays!
Transitional Words Used in a Compare Contrast Essay
Transition words to help you signal comparisons and contrasts.
Transitional Words Used in a Process Essay
Lists of words for time / chronology / sequence. Many transition words in the time category have other uses.
Transition Words that Should Be Used in an Argumentative Essay
Transition words for effect / consequence / result and cause / condition / purpose.
Very - Other ways to say it.
This handout is designed to help you come up with alternative ways to express your ideas without having to use the word “very”. By using precise diction, your readers will be able to better understand your ideas.
Who or Whom?
This helps you understand when to use "who" and "whom."
Writing in Academic English
This handout explains and gives examples of informal language. In general, informal language is everyday, conversational standard language, the type of language used when speaking to or writing to intimates, peers, and friends — that is, people with whom you are familiar and comfortable. Informal language is inappropriate for academic papers (including most narrative essays), business correspondence (including job applications), official documents, and technical documents.

Vocabulary - Websites

Vocabulary Strategies (Excelsior Online Writing Lab)
"he ability to read effectively requires a strong vocabulary. This unit [section of the website] covers different strategies and tools for improving your reading vocabulary. Click on one of the areas below [on the webpage] to learn more."
40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays
"Developing the language skills to build an argument and to write persuasively is crucial if you’re to write outstanding essays every time. In this article, we’re going to equip you with the words and phrases you need to write a top-notch essay, along with examples of how to utilise them. It’s by no means an exhaustive list, and there will often be other ways of using the words and phrases we describe that we won’t have room to include, but there should be more than enough below to help you make an instant improvement to your essay-writing skills – whether you’re a native English speaker or taking your first steps into writing essays in English."
Creating a Word Web (Excelsior Online Writing Lab)
This is a video. Click on the "Handouts" tab for material you can print to remind you how to create a Word Web. "One way to improve your vocabulary is to create a Word Web for each new word you encounter. With a word web, you can gain a deeper understanding of new words, practice using them, and keep track of them in your notes."

Commonly Misused Words - Websites

15 Commonly Confused Words (Yammer image chart)
Within these groups are words that sound almost or exactly the same, but have different meanings. (From our Yammer page.)
Affect or Effect?
"There is an easy way to remember when to use affect and effect: A is for action (affect); E is for end result (effect). But to fully understand a word's meaning, it helps to see it in action."
Their, There, and They're
"When two words sound alike (known as homonyms), it ‘s easy to think they mean the same thing. English being what it is, they usually don’t and it’s important to get them right so you say exactly what you mean.
For example, what’s the difference between their, there and they’re? The three are often mixed up when writing, because they sound exactly the same. However, the meanings of these three words couldn’t be more different."

Tutoring: Vocabulary

Vocabulary FAQ

Vocabulary - Handouts

Vocabulary - Websites

Commonly Misused Words - Websites

About Us

Statistics

Follow us

Report