Final answer:
Reading the words around a difficult vocabulary term suggests using context clues to understand its meaning. This strategy is helpful when facing archaic or complex diction in literature, and it's part of close reading and reflecting on texts to establish connections and deepen comprehension.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reading the words around a difficult vocabulary term to help understand the term's meaning shows that a reader is using context clues. This strategy is essential, especially when encountering archaic or complicated diction in texts like those written by Shakespeare or Edgar Allan Poe. The reader is analyzing the word choice and focusing on the significance of specific terms that often carry strong connotations or relate to a recurring theme in the text.
In-depth reading techniques, such as annotating and reflecting on the text, encourage active engagement with the material, which contrasts with passive reading. It's important to read closely and seek out patterns, as certain words may be used repeatedly to emphasize a particular point or to weave a richer narrative. When students practice these strategies, they expand their vocabulary and enhance their understanding of the text, making them well-equipped to handle complex literature.
Moreover, effective reading is not just about recognizing words but also about building connections between the new information and existing knowledge. By taking an active role in reading—marking unfamiliar words, asking questions, making predictions, and even consulting external sources like dictionaries or encyclopedias—you deepen comprehension and set the stage for critical analysis, understanding, and evaluation.