Steps to Follow When Reading Difficult Words

Created by Rashell Clarke

Fall 2003

Sound Clips Provided by Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate® Dictionary

For this lesson, you need to know:

• Syllable division (education = ed u ca tion)

• R-controlled vowels (ar, er, ir, or, ur)

• Vowel patterns (ou, ie, ue)

• Symbols (- means long vowel sound, ˘ means short vowel sound)

• Prefix (pro, re)

• Suffix (ate, tion)

Reading Strategies

• When reading, it is important not to skip difficult words.

• If you skip a word, you might not know what the sentence means.

• Here’s an example.

Example of Skipping Words:

• Do you have any idea what this sentence is about?

• If you skipped the second and last words, you will have no idea what the sentence is about.

The xxxxxxx will not be xxxxxxxxxxx.

Strategies You Can Use

The surgery will not be complicated.

• Break the unknown words into syllables:

The sur ger y will not be com pli ca ted.

• Look for vowel patterns:

The sur ger y will not be cŏm plĭ cā tĕd.

Strategies You Can Use

• There are many different strategies you can use to help you read a difficult word.

• Always try the different strategies you have learned. For example:

Finding Vowel Patterns

Syllable Division Rules

Different Vowel Sounds

Spelling Patterns

6 Steps for Reading 6 Steps for Reading Difficult WordsDifficult Words

• Let us look at a few steps you can take to help you read difficult words.

Steps for ReadingDifficult Words

Read the whole sentence with the difficult word.

Look for prefixes, suffixes, base words, or patterns that you know.

Read to the end of the sentence again.

Break the word into syllables and sound out each syllable.

Try other sounds and syllable divisions.

Use a dictionary or ask someone for help.

Step 1Step 1

• Read the whole sentence with the difficult word.

• Example: I don’t like when my friends exaggerate the truth.

• If the way you sounded the difficult word doesn’t make sense, DO NOT skip it. Go to Step 2.

Step 2Step 2

• Look for prefixes, suffixes, base words, or patterns that you know.

• Example: I don’t like when my friends exaggerate the truth.

• If you cannot pronounce the word or it doesn’t make sense, go to Step 3.

prefix suffix

Step 3Step 3

• Read to the end of the sentence again.

• Think of a word with the parts (from Step 2) that makes sense in the sentence.

• If available, read the sentence before and after to help make sense of what you are reading.

• Here’s an example

More on Step 3 More on Step 3

• Example: Sam’s story about his trip to the park sounded like a scene from a movie. I don’t like it when my friends exaggerate the truth. It makes it hard to believe anything they say.

• If this doesn’t help, go to Step 4.

Step 4Step 4

• Break the word into syllables and sound out each syllable.

• Remember to look for vowel patterns in each syllable to help you pronounce the word.

• Example: ex ag ge rate

• If this doesn’t work, go to Step 5.

Step 5Step 5

• Try other sounds and syllable divisions until you form a word that makes sense.

• Example: ex ag ge rate

ex ag ger ate

• You could pronounce each g as a hard g, a j, or a combination of both.

ex aj jer ate

Step 6Step 6

• If you still cannot read the word:

(a) Use a dictionary.

(b) Ask someone for help.

Group Practice Activity

1. Read the whole sentence.

His qualification is impressive.

2. Look for prefixes, suffixes, base words.

His qualifica tion is im press ive.

3. Read the sentences before and after, if available.

4. Break the word into syllables and sound out.

quăl lī fī cā tion ĭm prĕss īve

Practice Activity Continued

1. Read the whole sentence.

2. Look for prefixes, suffixes, base words.

3. Read the sentences before and after, if available.

4. Break the word into syllables and sound out.

5. Try other sounds and syllable divisions.

quăl lĭ fĭ cā tion ĭm prĕss ĭve

6. Use a dictionary or ask someone for help.

His qualification is impressive

Let’s Review the Steps

1. Read the whole sentence with the difficult word.

2. Look for prefixes, suffixes, base words, or patterns that you know.

3. Read to the end of the sentence again.

4. Break the word into syllables and sound out each syllable.

5. Try other sounds and syllable divisions.

6. Use a dictionary or ask someone for help.

Examples

• Now try some examples on your own.

• You will be given a sheet with sentences. Try to read difficult words using the steps we practiced.

Story 1 Story 6

Story 2 Story 7

Story 3 Story 8

Story 4 Story 9

Story 5 Story 10

One Last Look at the Steps

1. Read the whole sentence with the difficult word.

2. Look for prefixes, suffixes, base words, or patterns that you know.

3. Read to the end of the sentence again.

4. Break the word into syllables and sound out each syllable.

5. Try other sounds and syllable divisions.

6. Use a dictionary or ask someone for help.

Remember!

• Always follow the steps in order.

• These steps work but only if you use them.

• The more you use these steps, the easier they’ll be to use. They will become automatic.

• KEEP READING!