I decided to focus on using context clues to build my vocabulary. This strategy involves looking at the surrounding words and sentences to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words. I practiced it with several sentences where I had to choose the correct meaning of a word based on how it was used.
For example:
In “Stephen received a written reprimand…,” I figured out that reprimand means criticism because the sentence described a negative consequence.
In “Helen tended to cry… but in the face of danger, she was stoic,” the contrast helped me understand that stoic means not showing pain or emotion.
This strategy worked really well for me because it helped me understand words without needing a dictionary. I learned new words like anathema, dilapidated, and grievances, and I feel more confident using them now.
I’ll keep practicing this method, especially when reading articles or stories. It’s a great way to learn vocabulary naturally and improve comprehension at the same time.