Academic vocabulary includes words such as ephemeral, pragmatic, eloquent, cogent and benign. These words let you express ideas precisely in essays.
Learn words in families and contexts. Ephemeral (short-lived) contrasts with lasting; pragmatic (practical) contrasts with idealistic. Cogent arguments are clear and convincing.
Use new words accurately: it is better to use a simple word correctly than an impressive word wrongly. Check the connotations as well as the meaning.
Worked example
Read: “Fame proved ephemeral: within a year, nobody remembered his song.” What does ephemeral mean?
- The clue: within a year nobody remembered.
- So the fame did not last long.
Answer:lasting a very short time
Key words
- academic vocabulary
- precise words used in study
- connotation
- the feeling a word carries
- context
- the surrounding words
Practise this
New questions every time.
Common Core-referenced: L.9-10.4a, L.9-10.6