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Breaking Down Compound Words A compound word is a word made up of two other words. An effective method for understanding the meaning of a compound word is to break the compound word down into its components. Examples: drugstore (a store that sells drugs), lifeboat (a boat that preserves life)

Affixes: Roots, Prefixes, Suffixes Students can also learn the meanings of words by breaking them down into their roots and affixes. The root is the base word; the affix can be a prefix placed before the root or a suffix placed after the root. Some roots can appear alone, as well as with affixes; others appear only with affixes. Examples: port = to carry prefix ex = out, out of ex + port = export, to carry something out of an area im = in, into im + port = import, to carry something into an area suffix able = to be able transport + able = portable, able to be carried ex + port + able = something that can be carried out of an area Additional Sources: Wikipedia List of PrefixesMichigan Proficiency Exams-List of Prefixes Michigan Proficiency Exams-List of SuffixesList of Suffixes (UK) Wikipedia List of Latin words with English derivatives (Latin roots) Online Etymology Dictionary

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs Students need to master idioms and phrasal verbs if they are to feel at home in English. Idioms (idiomatic expressions) An idiom is a phrase or an expression with a special meaning that cannot be understood from the individual meanings of its words. For example, to fly off the handle means to lose one’s temper or to get angry. You can find more idioms at http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/ Phrasal verbs A phrasal verb usually consists of a verb and a preposition, that together have a special meaning. For example, put off means to postpone. Sometimes a phrasal verb may consist of three parts. E.g., put up with means to tolerate. Note: Some phrasal verbs can be also be considered idioms (like put up with) when the meaning of the individual words is different from the meaning of the sum of its parts. You can find more phrasal verbs at http://www.learn-english-today.com/phrasal-verbs/phrasal-verb-list.htm Terminology  the technical vocabulary of a particular area. Terminology or jargon are words used to identify the technical vocabulary of a particular area or subject. For example, stethoscope, and blood pressure cuff, are terms used in the field of medicine. Word Games and Crossword Puzzles In addition to teaching your students strategies for dealing with learning new vocabulary, provide your students with vocabulary games and puzzles so they can practice. There are several great vocabulary games and puzzles in the word games area. ESL Voices Word Games

This information could hint at what time of year it is (tulips are pretty scarce in September) and could also tell us something about the character who gives the flowers.

There are at least 12 synonyms for the verb to laugh, and each one evokes a specific image. A character could express amusement by cackling, chortling, chuckling, giggling, guffawing, snickering, sniggering, tittering, crowing, whooping, simpering, or smirking

Reading good dialogue makes readers feel like they're actually listening in on a real conversation. Because of this, it can be very disruptive if the author keeps butting in to tell readers that the speaker intoned or declared or asserted or retorted.

Third-person narration can be either limited (an objective narrator tells the story by focusing on a particular character's thoughts and interactions) or omniscient (the narrator sees and hears all)

many writers, in a misguided attempt to make their fiction writing descriptive, overuse these words.

Carrying a steaming and fragrant mug, she walked angrily and loudly into his office. Why write that, when you could have simply said: Carrying her peppermint tea, she stormed into his office. The second sentence actually gives us more information using fewer words.

In first-person narration, one character tells the story in his or her own voice (using "I")

No single point of view is better than another, but once you have made a choice, be consistent.

there are some great examples of novels that experiment with point of view by switching between narrators. But even in these stories, some kind of predictable pattern is imposed for clarity, such as a change in narrator from one chapter to the next, but not within a chapter.

Read your dialogue out loud. Does it sound like the way people actually talk

Are they talking about the weather? Because if they're talking about the weather, you'd better have a good reason for it.

the worst habit a fiction writer can develop is the habit of giving up too easily. Keep writing every day.

How to earn maximum marks for summary? 1) Rearrange the sentence This hobby enriches one's geographical and historical knowledge of a country. (Arranged as) One's geographical and historical knowledge of a country can be enriched. 2) Replace some words with synonyms This would enhance family ties. This would strengthen family ties. (but make sure the new word does not change the meaning or the idea presented by the content point) 3) Add sequence connectors & conjunctions Example of sequence connectors: Firstly, Secondly, Next, Then, Moreover, Besides, etc. Example of conjunctions: and, or, etc. Example of sentence: Next, collecting coins enables us to widen our circle of friends and enhance our family ties. (arrange the points as they appear in the original text)

REMEMBER! Use simple and precise sentences to present your content points. Write the number of words at the bottom right of your answer. Do not exceed the word limit.

the end result is the same — to “sell" the user on a specific action. Frame every sentence in a way that leads users to this goal.

Every word on your website should have a purpose.

Use simple words, sentence structures and clear language

Establish a connection with your copy's tone and voice

The voice should match your brand image and remain consistent across channels

make a list of 10 words that describe your brand or blog, use those words to frame how you speak to users and use those words and synonyms in your copy

Remember, you are speaking to and creating a connection with users; personal pronouns are good option.

Avoid phrases that contain jargon or industry-specific terms unless they are necessary

Every word needs to be read and reread until it makes perfect sense

Replace boring words with those that incite action

Remember the basics of sentence structure -- include a subject and action. Hire an editor to help clean up your copy

The language on your website should pair with the visuals for a complete package. Simple descriptors can help show users what you are trying to say quickly.

Avoid things that are strange or overly complicated in introductory copy

Simple language is not only easy to understand, but it is also respectful of the user's time

Think of every sentence as it is actually happening — a subject performs an action (active voice).

Use strong active phrases and verbs and write in the active voice

There's a fun little trick to help you identify active versus passive voice: If you can add “by zombies" after the verb, and the sentence makes sense, you are writing in the passive voice and should restructure