Academic and Domain Vocabulary
Aligned to L.9-10.6 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
Build and use general academic words and subject-specific terms accurately so you can read, write, and speak precisely across subjects.
Worked examples
Example 1
In a science report, 'analyze' and 'photosynthesis' do work that everyday words cannot — using the exact term signals command of the topic.
Example 2
In a history essay, corroborate does work that back up cannot: it names the specific act of confirming one source with an independent second one. Likewise, in an argument, concede signals that you are granting a point on purpose rather than losing it. The exact term is not decoration — it carries information the everyday phrase leaves out.
Example 3
Common mistake: reaching for an unfamiliar word from a thesaurus. Swapping said for opined or asked for interrogated adds noise and often changes the meaning outright. Academic vocabulary earns its place when the everyday word is genuinely less precise. If you cannot explain in your own words why the longer term fits better, use the shorter one.
Practice questions
- Choose an academic verb like analyze or evaluate and use it correctly in a sentence.
- Explain why a precise domain term beats a vague everyday word.
- Describe how you would learn and remember a new academic word.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Vocabulario académico y especializado
Adquiere y usa con exactitud palabras académicas generales y términos propios de cada materia para leer, escribir y hablar con precisión en distintas asignaturas.
Ejemplo 1: En un informe de ciencias, «analizar» y «fotosíntesis» hacen un trabajo que las palabras cotidianas no pueden; usar el término exacto muestra dominio del tema.
Ejemplo 2: En un ensayo de historia, corroborar hace algo que confirmar a secas no: nombra el acto específico de comprobar una fuente con otra independiente. Igual, en un argumento, conceder señala que otorgas un punto a propósito en vez de perderlo. El término exacto no es adorno — lleva información que la expresión cotidiana omite.
Ejemplo 3: Error común: sacar una palabra desconocida del diccionario de sinónimos. Cambiar dijo por opinó, o preguntó por interrogó, agrega ruido y muchas veces cambia el significado. El vocabulario académico se gana su lugar cuando la palabra cotidiana es de verdad menos precisa. Si no puedes explicar con tus palabras por qué el término largo encaja mejor, usa el corto.
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