A.K.A. Tips From My Brain to Yours
It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me–Wow! Seven months! Sobering! Which brings me to my first tip: Keep your eye on your goal–NO MATTER WHAT! Don’t let distractions, even, good ones (in my case, falling in love) boggle your mind!
Today’s Tip
To make a new vocabulary word your own:
Use a 4X6 index card.
1. Put the new word in the center ( with the part of speech in parentheses)
2. Write the dictionary definition in the upper left-hand corner.
3. What’s it like? Put your answers in the upper right-hand corner. Synonyms (real) or your connotations
4. What are some examples? Write your answers under the word. Add examples from your life (or literature).
5. Write your original sentence on the back. Make sure it creates an image. Add as many sensory details as you can (size, sound, color). Use an example from your life. You can also use humor.
For example: Today’s word is “contumacious.”
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UPPER LEFT: Def. Stubbornly disobedient; rebellious (especially when having to do with the law)
UPPER RIGHT: contrary; obstinate; intractable; willful to the max; pigheaded
CONTUMACIOUS (adj.)
jaywalking in front of a policeman Hermia’ s behavior – her refusal to marry Demetrius (from A Midsummer Night’s Dream) my trained dog continuing to “do his thing” on my carpet when I leave him home alone
(Note: This program is NOT letting me center this information properly! I give up!)
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My sentence: (on the reverse of the card)
When I missed my curfew for the third time last month, my father came at me, screaming at the top of his lungs,”I am sick and tired of your contumacious disregard of our rules! You’re GROUNDED for a month!” (See him looming over you with glaring eyes, pointing his finger, with an open-mouthed red face. Perhaps you can even see the veins in his neck bulging.)
Write Right! 
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