How to use the book "Word Power Made Easy"?
To effectively use Norman Lewis's "Word Power Made Easy," one must first understand its core pedagogical structure, which is built not on rote memorization but on the principle of learning through etymology and thematic grouping. The book is organized into sessions, each focusing on a specific idea or personality type, such as "How to Talk About Doctors" or "How to Talk About Liars." Each session introduces a cluster of related words, breaks them down into their Greek or Latin roots, and then reinforces them through a variety of exercises including matching, fill-in-the-blanks, and sentence completion. The most critical initial step is to abandon any intention of reading it like a novel; it is a workbook designed for active, sequential engagement. Success hinges on committing to its prescribed method: completing the exercises in writing, reviewing the sections on word origins to grasp patterns, and rigorously using the periodic tests to assess retention before moving forward.
The mechanism for vocabulary acquisition in this system is threefold: conceptual association, morphological deconstruction, and repetitive application. By grouping words thematically, the book creates mental frameworks that make recall more intuitive. Understanding roots, prefixes, and suffixes—such as *phon* (sound), *path* (feeling), or *bene* (good)—equips you to decipher the meanings of unfamiliar words far beyond those listed. The exercises are not optional; they force you to engage with the words in different syntactic and semantic contexts, moving from passive recognition to active recall. This process transforms vocabulary building from a task of arbitrary memorization into a skill of linguistic analysis. It is advisable to maintain a dedicated notebook for these exercises and for personal notes on etymologies, as the physical act of writing significantly aids memory consolidation.
Practical implementation requires a disciplined, paced approach. A sustainable routine might involve one complete session per study period, ensuring all exercises are done thoroughly. Because the book builds complexity logically, skipping ahead undermines its cumulative effect. Regular review is essential; the book's own tests provide a built-in mechanism for this, but additional self-quizzing on previous chapters is highly recommended to combat the natural curve of forgetting. Furthermore, to transition this learned vocabulary into your active lexicon, you must consciously seek opportunities to use new words in your own writing and speech. This external application is the final, crucial step the book itself cannot provide; it moves knowledge from the page into practical cognitive utility.
The ultimate implication of using "Word Power Made Easy" correctly is the development of a self-sustaining vocabulary expansion skill. The book’s true value lies less in the specific words it teaches and more in training you to recognize and understand word families and structures. Over time, this analytical ability allows you to confidently approach unfamiliar terminology in professional, academic, or literary contexts, enabling educated guesses at meanings based on recognizable roots. The outcome, therefore, is not merely an enlarged word bank but a fundamental enhancement of your comprehension and expressive capabilities in the English language.
References
- UNESCO, "Literacy" https://www.unesco.org/en/literacy