Academic Word List Spotlight

Academic vocabulary refers to words that are commonly used in academic settings and across different subjects. These words are essential for understanding textbooks, lectures, and exams. They help you express complex ideas clearly and effectively.

Here is a spotlight on some important academic words. You may know some of them already, and others might be new. The goal is not to memorize them all today, but to start recognizing and understanding how they are used.

Key Academic Words

1. Analyze (verb)

• Definition: To examine something in detail, typically for purposes of explanation and interpretation.
• Example: In science, we analyze data from experiments to draw conclusions.

2. Compare (verb)

• Definition: To notice or describe the similarities between two or more things.
• Example: Please compare the main characters in the two stories.

3. Contrast (verb)

• Definition: To notice or describe the differences between two or more things.
• Example: We need to contrast the effects of deforestation in different regions.

4. Define (verb)

• Definition: To state or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of something.
• Example: Can you define the term "photosynthesis" in your own words?

5. Describe (verb)

• Definition: To give an account in words of (someone or something), including all the relevant characteristics, qualities, or events.
• Example: The artist was asked to describe the inspiration behind her painting.

6. Evaluate (verb)

• Definition: To form an idea of the amount, number, or value of; assess.
• Example: After reading the essay, you will need to evaluate the author's arguments.

7. Explain (verb)

• Definition: To make (an idea or situation) clear to someone by describing it in more detail or revealing relevant facts or ideas.
• Example: The teacher asked me to explain how I solved the math problem.

8. Identify (verb)

• Definition: To recognize or establish who or what someone or something is.
• Example: Please identify the main idea of this paragraph.

9. Interpret (verb)

• Definition: To explain the meaning of (information, words, or actions).
• Example: Historians often interpret ancient texts to understand past cultures.

10. Summarize (verb)

• Definition: To give a brief statement of the main points of (something).
• Example: After reading the chapter, summarize the key events in two sentences.

11. Support (verb)

• Definition: To give assistance to, especially financially; enable to continue.
• Example: You need to support your claims with evidence from the text.

12. Synthesize (verb)

• Definition: To combine a number of things into a coherent whole.
• Example: To write your research paper, you will need to synthesize information from multiple sources.

How to Use This List

• Read through the words: Pay attention to the definition and example sentence for each word.
• Connect to your classes: Think about when you might hear or use these words in science, social studies, math, or English.
• Highlight or circle: Mark any words that are new to you or that you want to remember.
• Keep it handy: This list can be a great reference as you read and study!

Apply the Academic Word

Directions: Read each sentence or question below. Choose the best academic vocabulary word from the box to complete each statement or answer the question. You may use each word only once.

1. When you look closely at the different parts of a problem to understand it better, you ___________ it.
   
   
   
   

2. What does the word "democracy" mean? Please ___________ it in your own words.
   
   
   
   

3. Tell me all about your favorite historical event. ___________ what happened.
   
   
   
   

4. You have two different articles about the same topic. What are the similarities between them? You need to ___________ them.
   
   
   
   

5. What are the differences between a frog and a toad? You should ___________ them.
   
   
   
   

6. If you want to make an idea clear to someone, you should ___________ it.
   
   
   
   

7. After reading a long story, you might want to give a short overview of the main points. This is called ___________.
   
   
   
   

8. When you form an opinion about how good or bad something is, you ___________ it.
   
   
   
   

9. To combine different pieces of information to create a new understanding, you ___________ them.
   
   
   
   

10. To find the main idea of a paragraph, you need to ___________ it.
    
    
    
    

11. When you use evidence or reasons to back up what you say, you ___________ your claim.
    
    
    
    

12. To figure out the meaning of a piece of art or a complex text, you might need to ___________ it.
    
    
    
    

Challenge Question:

Choose three academic words from the list and use them in a short paragraph about something you learned recently in another class.

Apply the Academic Word Answer Key

Directions: Read each sentence or question below. Choose the best academic vocabulary word from the box to complete each statement or answer the question. You may use each word only once.

1. When you look closely at the different parts of a problem to understand it better, you analyze it.

   • Thought Process: The phrase "look closely at the different parts of a problem to understand it better" directly matches the definition of analyze, which is to examine something in detail for explanation and interpretation.

2. What does the word "democracy" mean? Please define it in your own words.

   • Thought Process: The question asks for the meaning of a word, which is precisely what the word "define" means – to state the exact meaning of something.

3. Tell me all about your favorite historical event. Describe what happened.

   • Thought Process: The prompt "Tell me all about..." and "what happened" indicates a need for a detailed account, which is the function of the word "describe."

4. You have two different articles about the same topic. What are the similarities between them? You need to compare them.

   • Thought Process: The keyword here is "similarities," and the academic word for noticing similarities between things is "compare."

5. What are the differences between a frog and a toad? You should contrast them.

   • Thought Process: The keyword here is "differences," and the academic word for noticing differences between things is "contrast."

6. If you want to make an idea clear to someone, you should explain it.

   • Thought Process: The phrase "make an idea clear to someone by describing it in more detail" aligns with the definition of "explain."

7. After reading a long story, you might want to give a short overview of the main points. This is called summarize.

   • Thought Process: "Short overview of the main points" is the essence of summarizing.

8. When you form an opinion about how good or bad something is, you evaluate it.

   • Thought Process: Forming an idea of the value of something, or assessing it, is the definition of "evaluate."

9. To combine different pieces of information to create a new understanding, you synthesize them.

   • Thought Process: "Combine a number of things into a coherent whole" describes the act of synthesizing.

10. To find the main idea of a paragraph, you need to identify it.

    • Thought Process: "Recognize or establish what something is" fits with finding or pointing out the main idea.

11. When you use evidence or reasons to back up what you say, you support your claim.

    • Thought Process: "To give assistance to" or to provide evidence for a statement is to "support" it.

12. To figure out the meaning of a piece of art or a complex text, you might need to interpret it.

    • Thought Process: "Explain the meaning of (information, words, or actions)" is the definition of "interpret."

Challenge Question:

Choose three academic words from the list and use them in a short paragraph about something you learned recently in another class.

(Answers will vary based on student response. Look for appropriate use of chosen academic words in context.)

Academic Vocabulary Check-Up Answer Key

1. Which academic word means to "examine something in detail, typically for purposes of explanation and interpretation"?
   Correct Answer: Analyze

   • Thought Process: The definition provided directly matches the meaning of the word "analyze."

2. If you are asked to find the similarities between two historical events, you would most likely:
   Correct Answer: Compare them

   • Thought Process: The question explicitly asks for "similarities," and "compare" is the academic term for finding similarities.

3. In your own words, define the term "evidence."
   Possible Answer: Evidence is information, facts, or objects that help prove something is true or show that something happened.

   • Thought Process: Students should provide a definition that captures the essence of "evidence" as supporting proof or data. Look for clarity and accuracy.

4. When a scientist looks at the results of an experiment and tries to figure out what they mean, they are interpreting the results. True or False?
   Correct Answer: True

   • Thought Process: "Interpreting" involves explaining the meaning of data or information, which aligns with a scientist making sense of experiment results.

5. Choose one academic word from the list (Analyze, Compare, Contrast, Define, Describe, Evaluate, Explain, Identify, Interpret, Summarize, Support, Synthesize) and use it correctly in a sentence.
   Possible Answers (examples):

   • Analyze: We need to analyze the causes of the American Revolution.
   • Describe: Can you describe the main setting of the novel?
   • Support: Students must support their opinions with textual evidence.
   • Thought Process: Look for a sentence where the chosen academic word is used grammatically correct and in a context that demonstrates understanding of its meaning.