Lessons

1. Reference Materials
C. Flint

2. • Reference materials are books you can use to find important
information.
What are reference materials?

3. Common Reference Materials
Dictionary Almanac
Thesaurus
Atlas
Encyclopedias

4. • What does a dictionary contain?
• A dictionary contains:
• an alphabetical list of words
• the pronunciation of words
• the parts of speech
• the definition of words
• There are printed as well as online dictionaries.
Dictionary

5. • Words in a printed dictionary are arranged in alphabetical order.
• Printed dictionaries have guide words at the top of each page.
• Guide words tell you the first word and the last word on that page.
• Any words that come AFTER accident in ABC order or BEFORE accordion will be
on the page.
Printed Dictionary
Let’s Practice!

6. • The following online dictionaries are available for you to utilize
online.
• Dictionary.com
• http://dictionary.reference.com/
• Merriam-Webster
• http://www.merriam-webster.com/
Online Dictionary

7. • What does a thesaurus contain?
• A thesaurus contains:
• Synonyms
• Sometimes Antonyms
• What is a synonym?
• A synonym is a word that has the same meaning as another word.
• Example: Begin is a synonym for start.
• What is an antonym?
• An antonym is a word that have the opposite meaning of another word.
• Example: Small is an antonym for gigantic.
Thesaurus

8. • Keep the following in mind:
• Synonym=same
• Antonym=opposite
• There are printed as well as online thesauruses.
Thesaurus (Conti.)

9. • What does an almanac contain?
• An almanac contains facts about various topics. There might be facts about:
• countries
• government
• historical events
• sports
• weather
• gardening
• This book is revised every year so the information is very current.
• The Old Farmer’s Almanac is North America’s oldest continuously
published Almanac.
• There are printed as well as online almanacs.
Almanac

10. • What is an atlas?
• An atlas is a book of maps.
• There are printed as well as online atlases.
Atlas

11. • What are encyclopedias?
• Encyclopedias are a series of books that contain brief entries on various
topics.
• There are printed as well as online encyclopedias.
• In 2012, Encyclopedia Britannica stopped publishing its multivolume
sets after 244 years.
• Encyclopedia Britannica now publish its educational information online.
Encyclopedias

12. REVIEW
Using Reference Materials