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This might sound crazy but I don't think my vocabulary is up to par.
I took the GRE and had no clue what some of the words meant. I knew the types of words that would be on the test but it makes me question my ability to perform well in Graduate School. I know I will write many papers but I don't think I would've included any of those words in something I will write. I don't want to write anything that seems like it came from someone in high school.
I haven't attended school in 8 years so I believe that's part of the reason complex words don't come to me naturally. Not to sound arrogant but I believe I am the most educated in my office of 10. I don't believe I can speak to anyone in my office to practice because I would probably need to explain what I meant by certain things. Don't get me wrong they are all very nice people and aren't dumb but some things might go over their heads.
Does anyone have any suggestions of something/s I can read to expand my vocabulary? I don't want to read the dictionary or anything like that but something you think is interesting and at the same time something that will expand my mind to new ways to word things. (I know everything you think might not be interesting to me but I still would like to know your suggestions).
I'm willing to take all suggestions.
Does anyone understand what I am saying or am I over-reacting?
Here's my recommendation (based on when I took the GRE in the mid 1990s). Study and practice the logic questions. They take practice. Don't worry about the English - you either know it or you don't. An hour spent working on logic problems will pay off a lot more than an hour working on the vocabulary. I'm an engineer so I didn't even study for the math part.
Also keep in mind that every field has its own terminology and favorite words; the English grad students at my school LOVED the word "ratiocination," although I don't remember anyone ever using it in my program. I think I threw it in a few times in my English courses just for fun. I'll second the earlier suggestion to simply read the journals in your field. Soon you, too, can throw around the lingo of choice like a pro, or at least like a grad student. That said, I think there's much to be said to writing clearly and concisely and for a general audience, and not trying to throw out big words simply because you can. Sheer quantity of longer or more esoteric words does not equal quality writing or prove quality of analysis. (in many cases I think it's just the opposite!)
This might sound crazy but I don't think my vocabulary is up to par.
I took the GRE and had no clue what some of the words meant. I knew the types of words that would be on the test but it makes me question my ability to perform well in Graduate School. I know I will write many papers but I don't think I would've included any of those words in something I will write. I don't want to write anything that seems like it came from someone in high school.
I haven't attended school in 8 years so I believe that's part of the reason complex words don't come to me naturally. Not to sound arrogant but I believe I am the most educated in my office of 10. I don't believe I can speak to anyone in my office to practice because I would probably need to explain what I meant by certain things. Don't get me wrong they are all very nice people and aren't dumb but some things might go over their heads.
Does anyone have any suggestions of something/s I can read to expand my vocabulary? I don't want to read the dictionary or anything like that but something you think is interesting and at the same time something that will expand my mind to new ways to word things. (I know everything you think might not be interesting to me but I still would like to know your suggestions).
I'm willing to take all suggestions.
Does anyone understand what I am saying or am I over-reacting?
Thanks in advance for your help
Don't feel intimidated, the test is designed that way. I can remember thinking the same thing about the SAT's back in the late 90's. For the GRE I would recommend using a list of words from a study guide such as Barron's. The study guides will give you pretty accurate exposure of what type of vocabulary to expect on there. Just familiarize yourself with the words on there and you should be fine.
There are lots of books out there to help expand your vocabulary. Hit up the bookstore and see which one works for you.
And read. Reading is the best way to learn new words. I keep a notebook and a dictionary with me at all times (I'm a book blogger and post my lists of new words I learned along with my book reviews). This has helped me tremendously over the past four or five years I've been doing this. Try it out.
This might sound crazy but I don't think my vocabulary is up to par.
I took the GRE and had no clue what some of the words meant. I knew the types of words that would be on the test but it makes me question my ability to perform well in Graduate School. I know I will write many papers but I don't think I would've included any of those words in something I will write. I don't want to write anything that seems like it came from someone in high school.
I haven't attended school in 8 years so I believe that's part of the reason complex words don't come to me naturally. Not to sound arrogant but I believe I am the most educated in my office of 10. I don't believe I can speak to anyone in my office to practice because I would probably need to explain what I meant by certain things. Don't get me wrong they are all very nice people and aren't dumb but some things might go over their heads.
Does anyone have any suggestions of something/s I can read to expand my vocabulary? I don't want to read the dictionary or anything like that but something you think is interesting and at the same time something that will expand my mind to new ways to word things. (I know everything you think might not be interesting to me but I still would like to know your suggestions).
I'm willing to take all suggestions.
Does anyone understand what I am saying or am I over-reacting?
Thanks in advance for your help
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