7.4 Using Reference Materials: Dictionaries, Thesauruses, and Search Tools
Key Takeaways
- Guide words at the top of a dictionary page indicate the first and last words on that page to assist in alphabetical lookup.
- A dictionary entry provides phonetic pronunciation, part of speech, definition, inflected forms, and etymological word origins.
- A thesaurus provides synonyms and antonyms, but context and connotation must guide word choice rather than simple denotation.
- Digital search tools use precise keywords and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to narrow or broaden search results.
- Informational book indexes and tables of contents allow for rapid navigation to specific sections or sub-topics.
Using Reference Materials: Dictionaries, Thesauruses, and Search Tools
Understanding how to locate and use reference materials is a vital literacy skill tested on the GACE Paraprofessional Assessment. In the classroom, paraprofessionals frequently guide students in looking up unfamiliar words, choosing better vocabulary words, and conducting basic research. Both print and digital resources require specific search strategies. This section covers print dictionary skills, thesaurus utilization, and digital search and index navigation.
Print Dictionary Skills
Although digital dictionaries are widely used, print dictionary skills remain a key standard for elementary and secondary education. The GACE exam evaluates your ability to interpret dictionary pages and individual word entries.
Guide Words
At the top of every dictionary page are two bolded words known as guide words.
- The left guide word indicates the very first word defined on that page.
- The right guide word indicates the very last word defined on that page.
- How to use them: To find if a target word is on a specific page, determine if it falls alphabetically between the two guide words. For example, if the guide words are fabric and fasten, the word famous would be on that page, but facility would be on an earlier page, and fawn would be on a later page.
Reading a Dictionary Entry
A dictionary entry provides a wealth of information about a word beyond its basic definition. You should know how to locate and interpret each part of an entry:
- Entry Word: The word itself, typically broken into syllables using dots (e.g., con•fi•dent).
- Pronunciation Key: Written in parentheses or brackets immediately after the word. It uses phonetic symbols and diacritical marks (like macrons for long vowels or breves for short vowels) to show how to pronounce the word. It also uses accent marks (e.g., ˈ) to show which syllable receives the primary stress.
- Part of Speech: Abbreviated labels (e.g., n. for noun, v. for verb, adj. for adjective, adv. for adverb) that show how the word functions grammatically.
- Inflected Forms: Spelling variations of the word when it becomes plural, past tense, or a participle (e.g., try, tries, tried, trying).
- Definitions: Numbered meanings, often ordered by frequency of use or historical origin.
- Etymology: Placed in brackets (usually near the beginning or end of the entry), this section shows the history of the word, including its origins in languages like Latin, Greek, Old French, or Germanic.
- Synonyms and Usage Notes: Some entries include list of similar words or sentences showing how the word is used in context.
Utilizing a Thesaurus
A thesaurus is a reference book or database that lists synonyms (words with similar meanings) and antonyms (words with opposite meanings). Writers use thesauruses to avoid repeating the same words and to find more precise vocabulary.
Denotation vs. Connotation
When using a thesaurus, it is critical to understand that synonyms are rarely completely interchangeable. Words have both a denotation and a connotation:
- Denotation: The literal, objective definition of a word.
- Connotation: The emotional, cultural, or social association that a word carries.
- Example: The words cheap and inexpensive have the same denotation (low cost), but cheap has a negative connotation implying poor quality, while inexpensive is neutral or positive.
- Classroom Tip: Advise students not to pick the biggest or most complex word in a thesaurus unless they are certain it fits the tone and context of their sentence.
Digital Search and Index Navigation
Research skills require navigating informational texts and digital environments efficiently.
Using a Book Index
An index is an alphabetical list of names, subjects, and terms found at the very back of a book, along with the page numbers where they appear.
- Main Entry: The primary topic (e.g., Invertebrates, 112–118).
- Sub-entry: Indented topics under the main entry (e.g., insects, 114; spiders, 116).
- Cross-references: Directs the reader to other related entries (e.g., Invertebrates. See also Insects).
Table of Contents
Located at the front of a book, the table of contents lists the chapters and main sections in the order they appear. Use this for a broad, sequential overview of the book's structure.
Digital Search Tools
When using digital search engines or database indexes, selecting the correct keywords is vital.
- Keywords: Words that represent the main concepts of a search.
- Exact Phrase Search: Putting quotation marks around a phrase (e.g., "civil rights movement") forces the search engine to find pages containing those exact words in that specific order.
- Boolean Operators: Words like AND, OR, and NOT are used to refine search results.
- AND: Narrows a search by requiring all terms (e.g., Georgia AND geography).
- OR: Broadens a search by retrieving results containing either term (e.g., insects OR bugs).
- NOT: Narrows a search by excluding specific terms (e.g., planets NOT Pluto).
Worked Examples
Example 1: Interpreting a Dictionary Entry
Consider this mock entry:
be•nev•o•lent \ bə-ˈne-və-lənt \ adj. [Latin benevolent- present participle of benevolere to wish well] 1 : marked by or disposed to doing good <a benevolent donor> 2 : organized for the purpose of doing good <a benevolent society>
- Questions asked on exams:
- What part of speech is benevolent? (The abbreviation adj. indicates it is an adjective).
- What is the origin of the word? (The brackets show it originates from Latin words meaning "to wish well").
- Which definition fits the sentence: 'The school received a benevolent gift from a local business'? (Definition 1, "marked by or disposed to doing good," fits this context).
Example 2: Guide Words
- Question: A dictionary page has the guide words Pencil and Perch. Which of the following words would be found on this page?
- Pattern (No, comes alphabetically before Pencil).
- Peninsula (Yes, falls between Pencil and Perch).
- Perfect (No, comes after Perch).
Classroom Scenarios and Paraprofessional Support
Paraprofessionals frequently help students develop vocabulary and research skills.
- Scenario: A student is writing an essay and keeps using the word "happy." The paraprofessional prompts the student to use a thesaurus. Together, they look up "happy" and find cheerful, ecstatic, and satisfied. The paraprofessional explains the connotations of these words: "If you are extremely excited about winning a game, 'ecstatic' is a great fit. If you are just content with your grade, 'satisfied' is better."
- Supporting Research: When helping a student find information on "volcanoes" in a general science textbook, the paraprofessional directs the student to the index rather than flipping through the pages randomly. The paraprofessional shows the student how to look up "V" and locate the exact pages.
A dictionary page has the guide words 'Pencil' and 'Perch'. Which of the following words would be found on this page?
In a dictionary entry, where would you find information about the historical origin and development of a word?
A student is looking for information on the eating habits of grizzly bears in a library book about wildlife. Which of the following is the most efficient way to locate this specific information?