What is a dictionary? By Mrs. Wilkin

1. What is a dictionary? By Mrs. Wilkin

2. What is a dictionary? • Non-fiction (true) • Information about words • Reference book • Not read from cover to cover

3. Why do we use a dictionary? Spelling Definitions Parts of speech How to pronounce words

4. How to use a dictionary • Think of the word to look up • The words are in A, B, C order • Open the dictionary where the first letter of the word might be. • Either turn back or forward to find the word • Use the guide words at the top of each page.

5. What in the world are guide words? • They help us to find words quickly • There are two guide words at the top of each page. • The first guide word is the first word on a page and the second guide word is the last word on the page. • The word you are looking for is in A, B, C order between the guide words.

6. Parts of a dictionary • Guide words • Main entry • Definition • Syllable division • Spelling and capital letters

7. Parts of a dictionary

8. Things to look for in a dictionary • How the words are arranged (A, B, C) • Size of fonts (letters) • Dark bold words • Guide words • Pictures or illustrations • Areas that catch your attention