When & Where: I was in LTED 626 listening to the same presentation when the presenter used the word perseverate. She said, "He will perseverate on an issue that is bothering him and refuse to speak."
Level of Familiarity: I've heard the word used before. I believe it was another one of my SAT vocabulary words. I think I remember it having to do with going back and forth between an issue, which would make sense in the context of the sentence.
What it Means: "Repeat or prolong an action, thought, or utterance after the stimulus that prompted it has ceased" (www.dictionary.com)
Reflective Commentary: My original guess was incorrect but I think this makes more sense in the sentence. I don't know if I will really use this word in the future but I do think it's a good one to know. I could maybe see myself using this word in writing, but I'm not quite comfortable enough to use it in conversation.
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Sunday, October 27, 2013
8:1 - Garrulous
When & Where: I was in class for LTED 626 and listening to a presentation, when the presenter used the word garrulous to describe her student. She said, "When he's engaged, he's garrulous and lively."
Level of Familiarity: I've heard this word before and I remember it being one of my SAT vocabulary words, but I can't remember what it means. Based on the context, I'd guess that it means energetic or animated.
What it Means: "Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters" (www.dictionary.com)
Reflective Commentary: I think this is a useful word to know because I have come across it a few times. The definition is easy to remember and it is also a good word to describe characters/characterization in novels. I'm going to try and use this word in the future.
Level of Familiarity: I've heard this word before and I remember it being one of my SAT vocabulary words, but I can't remember what it means. Based on the context, I'd guess that it means energetic or animated.
What it Means: "Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters" (www.dictionary.com)
Reflective Commentary: I think this is a useful word to know because I have come across it a few times. The definition is easy to remember and it is also a good word to describe characters/characterization in novels. I'm going to try and use this word in the future.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
7:2 - Propagandistic
When & Where: I was reading Content-Area Writing for Monday's class when I came across this word on page 33: "In a history class, students were asked to examine a rather propagandistic 1860 newspaper drawing depicting Native Americans attacking homesteaders."
Level of Familiarity: I know what the word propaganda means, so I'm assuming that this word is another form of it and has the same/similar meaning. Although I've never seen this word before I can make a very accurate guess as to what it means. I wasn't aware that you could use propaganda in a sentence this way.
What it Means: "A person involved in producing or spreading propaganda" (www.dictionary.com)
Reflective Commentary: After reading the definition my initial assumption was correct. This is not a word I think I will ever use; however, I thought it was very interesting because I had never come across it before.
Level of Familiarity: I know what the word propaganda means, so I'm assuming that this word is another form of it and has the same/similar meaning. Although I've never seen this word before I can make a very accurate guess as to what it means. I wasn't aware that you could use propaganda in a sentence this way.
What it Means: "A person involved in producing or spreading propaganda" (www.dictionary.com)
Reflective Commentary: After reading the definition my initial assumption was correct. This is not a word I think I will ever use; however, I thought it was very interesting because I had never come across it before.
7:1 - Contentious
When & Where: I was eating lunch at work yesterday with some colleagues. One of the other English teachers said, "This other teacher -- who is very contentious -- always got into arguments with me about this one student."
Level of Familiarity: I know that I've heard this word before and it reminds me of the word contemptuous, which I think has a slightly similar meaning. I think it means someone who is full of themselves or stuck-up, but I'm not sure.
What it Means: www.dictionary.com says "(of a person) given to arguing or provoking argument."
Reflective Commentary: I think it's interesting that it can either be describing a person who argues a lot or describing a controversial idea or argument (a point of contention). There are a lot of different ways to use this word and I'm going to try to use it in the future because I've come across it so many times.
Level of Familiarity: I know that I've heard this word before and it reminds me of the word contemptuous, which I think has a slightly similar meaning. I think it means someone who is full of themselves or stuck-up, but I'm not sure.
What it Means: www.dictionary.com says "(of a person) given to arguing or provoking argument."
Reflective Commentary: I think it's interesting that it can either be describing a person who argues a lot or describing a controversial idea or argument (a point of contention). There are a lot of different ways to use this word and I'm going to try to use it in the future because I've come across it so many times.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
6:3 - Capricious
When & Where: I was reading a different short story titled "The Bet" by Anton Chekhov to possibly use for class when I came across the word capricious. The sentence was, "The banker, who at that time had too many millions to count, spoiled and capricious, was beside himself with rapture."
Level of Familiarity: I've heard this word so many times and I still don't know what it means. It's usually used to describe someone's personality or behavior. Because it's used with the term 'spoiled' I'm going to assume that it's somewhat negative.
What it Means: www.dictionary.com says, "given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior."
Reflective Commentary: I definitely want to start using this word because I feel as if I have a good understanding of it and what it means. I also looked the word up on Google and there were a lot of examples of capricious behavior, so there are a lot of contexts I could use it in. I also think it's just a useful word to know. It's a common SAT vocabulary word, so it's also good for students to know.
Level of Familiarity: I've heard this word so many times and I still don't know what it means. It's usually used to describe someone's personality or behavior. Because it's used with the term 'spoiled' I'm going to assume that it's somewhat negative.
What it Means: www.dictionary.com says, "given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior."
Reflective Commentary: I definitely want to start using this word because I feel as if I have a good understanding of it and what it means. I also looked the word up on Google and there were a lot of examples of capricious behavior, so there are a lot of contexts I could use it in. I also think it's just a useful word to know. It's a common SAT vocabulary word, so it's also good for students to know.
6:2 - Auspices
When & Where: I was reading the same article, "The Clarks: An American Story of Wealth, Scandal, and Mystery" when I came across the word auspices a few minutes later. The sentence was: "No married couple ever started married life under more brilliant auspices."
Level of Familiarity: I think I've heard this word before. I think it has something to do with style and reputation because the article was discussing how notorious the family was.
What it Means: www.dictionary.com has two definitions:
1. Patronage; support; sponsorship
2. A sign or omen, especially one that is favorable
Reflective Commentary: Based on the context the word is used in I believe the second definition makes more sense. However, it is surprising to me that it usually is referring to a favorable omen because the article was very critical and somewhat negative about the Clark family. Also, the family lived in scandal and bad fortune, so I'm not sure how true that statement is. I can't see myself using this word in the future because I'm still not very comfortable with what it means.
Level of Familiarity: I think I've heard this word before. I think it has something to do with style and reputation because the article was discussing how notorious the family was.
What it Means: www.dictionary.com has two definitions:
1. Patronage; support; sponsorship
2. A sign or omen, especially one that is favorable
Reflective Commentary: Based on the context the word is used in I believe the second definition makes more sense. However, it is surprising to me that it usually is referring to a favorable omen because the article was very critical and somewhat negative about the Clark family. Also, the family lived in scandal and bad fortune, so I'm not sure how true that statement is. I can't see myself using this word in the future because I'm still not very comfortable with what it means.
6:1 - Denuded
When & Where: I was at work reading an informational article about an old and notorious American family called, "The Clarks: An American Story of Wealth, Scandal, and Mystery." The article said: "Criticized for the sulfurous smoke and denuded landscape from his mines, he said, 'Those who succeed us can well take care of themselves.'"
Level of Familiarity: I believe I've heard this word before, although I don't know what it means. Based on context clues it seems to be something negative, meaning maybe "ruined or damaged." I know that the prefix de- means to take away, so I think it also has something to do with that.
What it Means: www.dictionary.com says, "to make naked or bare; strip." As in the storm completely denuded the trees.
Reflective Commentary: That was not the definition I was expecting at all. I suppose it makes sense although I don't know what other context I would use it in, other than talking about damage to landscape. I don't know if I will really use this word in conversation, because I'm still not sure on other ways to use it.
Level of Familiarity: I believe I've heard this word before, although I don't know what it means. Based on context clues it seems to be something negative, meaning maybe "ruined or damaged." I know that the prefix de- means to take away, so I think it also has something to do with that.
What it Means: www.dictionary.com says, "to make naked or bare; strip." As in the storm completely denuded the trees.
Reflective Commentary: That was not the definition I was expecting at all. I suppose it makes sense although I don't know what other context I would use it in, other than talking about damage to landscape. I don't know if I will really use this word in conversation, because I'm still not sure on other ways to use it.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
5:2 - Parsimonious
When & Where: I was reading Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King (2012) before bed when I came across the word parsimonious. The author uses this word multiple times throughout the book, but the first time she used it was on p. 10-11: "My parsimonious father doesn't understand that a senior in high school shouldn't have a full-time job...Instead, my parsimonious father launches into a ten-minute lecture about how working for a living is hard and kids today don't get it because they're given allowances they don't earn."
Level of Familiarity: I've seen this word so many times, and I've looked it up before but I can never remember what it means. For some reason whenever I think of this word I immediately get a vivid image of a righteous priest in my mind (I think I may be confusing it with sanctimonious).
What it Means: www.dictionary.com says that parsimonious means, "unwilling to spend money or use resources; stingy or frugal."
Reflective Commentary: I would like to try and use this word because I believe it's a word that can describe a lot of people, or apply to a lot of situations. I now have a better understanding of Vera's father, and why he makes her work so hard in this story.
Level of Familiarity: I've seen this word so many times, and I've looked it up before but I can never remember what it means. For some reason whenever I think of this word I immediately get a vivid image of a righteous priest in my mind (I think I may be confusing it with sanctimonious).
What it Means: www.dictionary.com says that parsimonious means, "unwilling to spend money or use resources; stingy or frugal."
Reflective Commentary: I would like to try and use this word because I believe it's a word that can describe a lot of people, or apply to a lot of situations. I now have a better understanding of Vera's father, and why he makes her work so hard in this story.
5:1 - Undergirds
When & Where: I was reading an article for LTED 626 by Doug Buehl, titled "Scaffolding." He was describing his experiences growing up on a farm and the gradual release of responsibility that his parents gave him. He then applied that idea to teaching and said, "Students need plenty of opportunities to see an expert -- the teacher -- at work, as you interact with texts and showcase the thinking that undergirds doing a task well."
Level of Familiarity: I have never seen this word before, and I find it a very odd sounding/looking word. Based on the way it's used in this sentence I would guess that it means "coincides/goes along with" because that would make sense with what he's talking about.
What it Means: www.dictionary.com has two similar meanings:
1. Secure or fasten from the underside, especially by a rope or chain passed underneath.
2. Provide support or a firm basis for.
Reflective Commentary: I definitely think the second definition makes more sense in this situation. I have a better understanding of what the author is talking about. I will probably never use this word in conversation or in writing. I chose it just because I thought it was a strange word and had never come across it.
Level of Familiarity: I have never seen this word before, and I find it a very odd sounding/looking word. Based on the way it's used in this sentence I would guess that it means "coincides/goes along with" because that would make sense with what he's talking about.
What it Means: www.dictionary.com has two similar meanings:
1. Secure or fasten from the underside, especially by a rope or chain passed underneath.
2. Provide support or a firm basis for.
Reflective Commentary: I definitely think the second definition makes more sense in this situation. I have a better understanding of what the author is talking about. I will probably never use this word in conversation or in writing. I chose it just because I thought it was a strange word and had never come across it.
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