Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
Guide to College Reading, 8/e
Kathleen T. McWhorter
Chapter 3Learning Word Parts
PowerPoint by Gretchen Starks-MartinSt. Cloud State University, MN
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
THIS CHAPTER WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO:
1. Figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words
2. Use prefixes, roots, and suffixes
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
FINDING MEANINGS IN COMPOUND WORDS
A new word formed by two words that are put together is called a
compound word. Waterproof water + proof Horseshoe horse + shoe Endpoint end + point Checklist check + list Outcome out + come
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
FINDING MEANINGS IN COMPOUND WORDS
Some words appear frequently in compound words. The word under, for example, is common:
undertow underage
underachiever undergo
undercover
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
LEARNING PREFIXES, ROOTS, AND SUFFIXES
The word trichromatic can be divided into three parts: its prefix, root, & suffix.
Prefix - tri - (“three”)Root - chrome (“color”)
Suffix - atic (“characteristic of”)
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
Words Can Have More Than One Prefix, Root, or Suffix
Words can be made up of two or more roots (geo/logy).
Some words have two prefixes (in/sub/ordination).
Some words have two suffixes (beauti/ful/ly).
A word is built upon at least one root.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
Words Do Not Always Have a Prefix and a Suffix
Some words have neither a prefix nor a suffix (read).
Others have a suffix but no prefix (read/ing).
Others have a prefix but no suffix (pre/read).
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
The Spelling of Roots May Change As They Are
Combined With Suffixes
Different prefixes, roots, or suffixes may have the same meaning.
Ex: the prefix bi-, di-, and duo- all mean “two.”
Sometimes a group of letters looks like a prefix or root, but it does not carry the meaning of that prefix or root.
Ex: the prefix mis-, means “wrong;bad.” The letters mis in the word missle do not mean bad/wrong.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
PREFIXES
Appear at the beginning of words and alter the meaning of the root.
Ex: add the prefix re- to the word “read” reread (to read again).
Ex: add the pre- to the word “reading” prereading (before reading).
Ex.: add the suffix post- to the word “reading” postreading (after reading).
Common Prefixes are in Table 3-1.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
ROOTSRoots carry the basic or core
meaning of a word. Root dic/dict = means “tell or say,” then you know that: Dictate = means to speak for someone to write down.
Diction = means wording or manner of speaking.
Dictionary = is a book that “tells” what words mean.
Common Roots are in Table 3-2.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
SUFFIXES
Suffixes are word endings that often change the part of speech of a word:
Adding the suffix y to the noun cloud forms the adjective cloudy.
Cloudy means “resembling clouds; overcast with clouds; dimmed or dulled as if by clouds.”
Common Suffixes are in Table 3-3.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
Several Different Words Can Be Formed From a Single Root
Word by Adding Different Suffixes
Examples: Root: class Root + suffix = class/ify, class/ification, class/ic
Root: right Root + suffix = right/ly, right/ful, right/ist, right/eous
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
Expand Your Vocabulary
Learn variations in meaning that occur when suffixes are added to words you already know.
Look for the root of a word that you do not know.
Use context to figure out what the word means with the suffix added.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
HOW TO USE WORD PARTS
1. First, look for the root.2. If you don’t know the root, check
its meaning in the dictionary.3. Look for a prefix.4. Locate the suffix.5. Try out the meaning in the
sentence in which the word was used to see if it makes sense.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
LEARNING STYLE TIPSSocial Learner: Studying with a group of classmates
Independent Learner: Making up review tests, or asking a friend to do so, and practice taking the tests.
Are you a social learner or an independent learner?
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
SELF-TEST SUMMARY
When you cannot figure out an unknown word by using context clues, what should you do?
What are prefixes, roots, and suffixes?
Why is it useful to learn prefixes, roots, and suffixes?
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
Companion Website For additional readings, exercises, and Internet activities, visit this
book’s Companion Website at:
www.ablongman.com/mcwhorter
If you need a user name and password, see your instructor.
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
My Reading Lab
For more practice on vocabulary, visit MyReadingLab, click on the Reading Skills tab, and then click
on Vocabulary—The Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C.www.myreadinglab.com
Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers
TEST-TAKING TIPS:Using Word Parts
Pronounce the word in question to yourself. By saying the word, you may hear a part (prefix, root, or suffix) that is familiar.
If you do not recognize the root of a word, concentrate on the prefix. Often, knowing the meaning of the prefix can help you figure out the right answer.
Pay attention to suffixes. They can also help you figure out a word.
Top Related