Vocabulary Cartoons: The Fun Way to Learn Word Meanings

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We all know – if we are to be honest – learning can sometimes be quite boring. In many instances, however, learning is a necessary stepping stone to achieving our goals. For example, developing our vocabulary can help us boost our grades and gain higher entrance test scores (such as for the SAT, GRE and GMAT). An increased vocabulary can: improve our communication; enhance our careers and job promotions; win us jobs at interviews; increase our reading comprehension; and, develop our writing abilities. Fear not. All this can be achieved in a fun way – by vocabulary cartoons.

This method of learning is fun and holds interest. For these reasons, it increases concentration and motivates the learner. This translates into retention and increased learning. A vocabulary cartoon is exactly what it sounds like. It works by allowing the learner to connect new words to existing knowledge and vocabulary.

Vocabulary Cartoons: The Principle of Mnemonics at Work

Essentially, the principle of mnemonics is what makes the vocabulary cartoon work (New Monic Books, 2008). The cartoon presents the learner with information that assists recall. It can also be used, in particular, to aid spelling and enhance learning academic content (The Access Center, 2009). It is a cost effective and simple method of developing vocabulary that does not require significant amounts of materials.

A vocabulary card should include:

1. The subject word;
2. The phonetic pronunciation;
3. The definition;
4. A word that links the cartoon to the subject word. This is often a play on letters and words;
5. The cartoon that displays the word at Point 4; 
6. A caption. This is a description of the cartoon that links the subject word to Point 4 and the cartoon;
7. Sentences. The subject word should be used in different contexts (New Monic Books, 2008).

There are also three ways of learning via mnemonics:

1. Keyword. This is a way of learning by connecting new words to already known words. Initially the learner thinks of a keyword that sounds similar to the new word. A picture is then drawn of the keyword that links the subject word to its definition.
2. Pegword. This involves the use of rhyming words to pictures. It facilitates the remembering of numbers and ordering (e.g. one to bun or three to tree).
3. Letter strategies. This method incorporates acronyms (e.g. first letters of each word forms a word) and acrostics (e.g. first letters of words in a sentence help the learner to remember the order of other words) (The Access Center, 2009).

Learning vocabulary does not have to be tedious and a chore. It can actually be a fun activity. This not only increases the efficiency at which you learn, but also the effectiveness. This can be further increased by vocabulary software that not only integrates multiple learning strategies, but also draws upon mnemonics to assist learning, such as Ultimate Vocabulary’s range of software products.

Integrate Wordly Wise into your lessons to develop your child's vocabulary skills.
 

References

New Monic Books, Inc. 2008, How Vocabulary Cartoons Work - Vocabulary Cartoons Work By Using Mnemonics, viewed 17 February, 2009, <http://www.vocabularycartoons.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=60>.

The Access Center 2009, Using Mnemonic Instruction to Facilitate Access to the General Education Curriculum, viewed 17 February, 2009, <http://www.k8accesscenter.org/training_resources/Mnemonics.asp>.

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