Thesaurus
A thesaurus presents a collection of words associated with a certain topic. It provides interesting and challenging alternatives when you are struggling for the ‘right’ word in an assignment, or when you are looking for alternative words to avoid excessive repetition. It is a very stimulating way of enlarging your vocabulary and developing sensitivity to the nuances of language. For example, in Roget’s Thesaurus, entries under the word ‘knowledge’ include the following:
ken; cognition; cognizance; apprehension; grasp; mastery; awareness; illumination; lore; tree of knowledge; technology; dilettantism; bibliomania; faculty; civilisation.
Don’t overdo it
Using a dictionary and thesaurus will help you become a more effective and appreciative reader, and you will also want to use your new vocabulary in written assignments. Remember, however, that you should always choose the word that most accurately conveys your meaning, and that the best word is not necessarily the biggest or most impressive.
