Not having the right word at your disposal can be quite frustrating. Actually it is problem that confounds veteran journalists as well as beginner learners. Sometimes, it is just a matter of not being able to recall the right word; sometimes you never knew the word.

Language is power. Building a vocabulary that can meet the needs of one’s reading and self-expression has to be the goal of every aspiring writer and speaker. So how does one build a strong vocabulary? Here are a few tips

Make word charts

Write down unfamiliar words that you discover in newspapers and books on durable pieces of paper. Look up these words when you have a dictionary at your disposal. Against each word, write down its definition. Pursue words consciously. Read journals that challenge you in terms of vocabulary.

Carry this paper with you always. Take it out and review your vocabulary when you are sitting on the bus or waiting at the doctor’s clinic. Review those words until you become comfortable that you will be able to recognize them the next time you see them. Read the rest of this entry »