Academic Vocabulary
Introduction
Academic Vocabulary plays a vital role in academic success. It involves using specialized words and phrases that are common in academic settings. By improving your academic vocabulary, you can enhance your writing and communication skills, which can lead to better grades and increased opportunities. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of academic vocabulary and discuss strategies for improving it. We will also include a quiz to test your knowledge and reinforce the concepts covered.
Learning Objectives
In this lesson, you will focus on the following objective: Understanding academic vocabulary.
Academic Vocabulary
What Is Academic Vocabulary?
Words that are commonly used in academic texts, such as textbooks, directions, and tests, are called academic vocabulary. Learning academic vocabulary is important because these words will help you read, write, and research in many academic areas. These words will also help you succeed on standardized tests.
Different Kinds of Words
Some words are specific to certain disciplines, or areas of study.
For example, the words alliteration, foreshadowing, and metaphor pertain to literature. Other words, such as concept, structure, and theory, are used in many areas of study. The charts below show more examples of both kinds of words.
Discipline-Specific Words
| Discipline | Words |
|---|---|
| Math | circumference, percentage, rectangle |
| Science | mitosis, chlorophyll, genus |
| Social Studies | confederation, federalism, antebellum |
General Academic Vocabulary
| process | perceive |
| survey | relevant |
| research | interpret |
| indicate | tradition |
Multiple-Meaning Words
Many academic vocabulary words, such as economy, have more than one meaning.
The first meaning is a literal, more common definition that you may be familiar with (economy means “the thrifty or efficient use of a material resource, such as money”).
The second definition is more academic and may be unfamiliar to you (economy also means “the efficient use of a nonmaterial resource, such as language”).
These two definitions are often related. In the case of economy, the two definitions are linked by the “efficient use of a resource.”
The chart below lists additional examples of academic words with more than one meaning.
The first meaning is a literal, more common definition that you may be familiar with (economy means “the thrifty or efficient use of a material resource, such as money”).
The second definition is more academic and may be unfamiliar to you (economy also means “the efficient use of a nonmaterial resource, such as language”).
These two definitions are often related. In the case of economy, the two definitions are linked by the “efficient use of a resource.”
The chart below lists additional examples of academic words with more than one meaning.
| Word | Definitions | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| select | v. to choose adj. chosen because of excellence or preference | Both definitions involve choosing |
| range | n. the extent to which something varies v. to vary within specified limits | Both definitions involve variation within certain limits |
| conduct | n. a standard of personal behavior v. to lead from a position of power | Both definitions involve the correct way to do something |