Words Have Power
Words. We all use them– inside and outside of our heads, on the page and off.
I’m even using them right now!
The hardest part about writing is finding the right word at the right time.
Because words have power.
You can have a huge vocabulary and still struggle to find the word you want.
But having an extensive vocabulary certainly makes it easier!
Developing a powerful vocabulary takes time. It’s one thing to memorize words, and something else to learn how to use them, and to get comfortable using them.
That’s why experts suggest reading and reading and reading. Because through reading, your vocabulary will expand naturally as you see words in context in sentences and understand their meaning from context.
Adding a few words each week also comes highly recommended.
There’s lots of techniques to add words to your vocabulary but the bottom line is– words are the only currency that matters on the page.
What are some of the words you’ve found or learned this fall? Share them with us below! Include the word, the definition, and tell us where you found it including the book, the author’s name, and the page number. Tell us why you picked these words to share. Share a link to your blog if you have one also!
PS What are words for? While it feels like no one hears us and no one cares, we still persevere — words do have power.
art predator 
2 Vocab words:
1. Pageant- a public entertainment consisting of a procession of people in elaborate, colorful costumes, or an outdoor performance of a historical. Bird by Bird by Lamott, pp.201.
2. Obfuscation- the action of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible. Bird by Bird by Lamott, pp. 198.
2 Vocab words:
1. Pageant- a public entertainment consisting of a procession of people in elaborate, colorful costumes, or an outdoor performance of a historical scene. Bird by Bird Lamott, pp. 201.
2. Obfuscation- the action of making something obscure, unclear, or unintelligible. Bird by Bird by Lamott, pp. 198.
For Vocab Study Guide
The Sixth Extinction
progeny-Children or descendants
gorge-narrow canyon; steep, rocky clef
Definitions;
Drudge: Do hard, menial, or dull work. (Kingsolver 4)
Commandeering: Take possession of something without authority. (Fletcher 2)
Dejectedly
Definition: sad and depressed; dispirited.
Source: The Nature Fix page 9
Auguring
Definition: (of an event or circumstance) portend a good or bad outcome.
Source: The Nature Fix page page 10
Enthusiastic
Definition: having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
Found in: Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott, page 21
Rapturous
Definition: characterized by, feeling, or expressing great pleasure or enthusiasm.
Found in: Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott, page 22
Definitions:
-Momentous:(of a decision, event, or change) of great importance or significance, especially in its bearing on the future. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.
-Engulfed: (of a natural force) sweep over (something) so as to surround or cover it completely. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris.
Fear: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat (Strayed 69)
Control:to exercise restraining or directing influence over (Goldberg 53)
Definitions:
Ubiquitous: Existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time; omnipresent
Found in The Sixth Extinction, by Elizabeth Kolbert, page 13
Supplanted: to take the place of (another), as through force, scheming, strategy, or the like.
Found in The Sixth Extinction, by Elizabeth Kolbert, page 55
Definitions:
Ubiquitous: Existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time; omnipresent
Found in The Sixth Extinction, by Elizabeth Kolbert, page 13
Supplanted: to take the place of (another), as through force, scheming, strategy, or the like.
Found in The Sixth Extinction, by Elizabeth Kolbert, page 55
Vocabulary Wild
Exuberant- filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement (Strayed, 19).
Impervious- unaffected by (Strayed 52).
Definitions:
inundation: an overwhelming abundance of people or things; flooding (Kolbert 113)
catastrophism: the theory that changes in the earth’s crust during geological history have resulted chiefly from sudden violent and unusual events (Kolbert 220)
As I ask this questions once or twice a year, here’s are few words shared previously:
Ambivalent- having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.
“The path of the red and black ink” – Anzaldua, Gloria
Anthropocene*
Debris
Deicide
Chicano
Degradation
Discrimination- the unjust or prejudicial treatment of those of different gender, race or age
Brent Staples, Just Walk On By, Black Men and Public Space
Education- applying knowledge to a person at elevating levels.
Seth Godin, Stop Stealing Dreams
Empirical – Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or logic. From Amy Tan, “Mothers Tongue” page 36
Ethnocentrism- the tyranny of Western aesthetics
“The path of the red and black ink” – Anzaldua, Gloria
Euphemism – a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. From Mike Rose “I Just Want to be Average” page 314
Exquisite
Endangered Species Act. E.S.A., A legislation enacted in 1973 for both international and domestic conservation. To protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. David Gaudet. Gyre the plastic Ocean, pg.141
Feminism*
Gyre*
Marine Mammal Protection Act, M.M.P.A., A legislation introduced in 1972 and amended in 1994. Protects all marine mammals, including cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) sirenians (manatees and dugongs) sea otters, and polar bears within the waters of the united states. David Gaudet. Gyre the plastic ocean, pg. 141
Monosyllabic
Nature Deficit Disorder*
Piqued
Primary source*
Punctuation- “the basting that holds the fabric of language in shape. […] they tell us to slow down, notice this, take a detour and stop”. (page 40)
Lynn Truss, Eats, Shoots & Leaves
Quandry
Secondary source*
Seminar: a conference or other meeting for discussion or training
The evergreen state college seminars handout
Solace
Thesis*
Unconventional- Not based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed.
Alice Bag, Violence Girl
Writing Process*