Using Reference Sources
DICTIONARIES
A general dictionary will tell you not only a word’s definitions but also its pronunciation, parts of speech, and history and origin. A specialized dictionary focuses on terms related to a particular field of study or work. Use a dictionary to check the spelling of any word you are unsure of in your English class and other classes as well
THESAURI
A thesaurus (plural, thesauri) is a dictionary of synonyms. A thesaurus can be especially helpful when you find yourself using the same modifiers over and over again.
SYNONYM FINDERS
A synonym finder is often included in wordprocessing software. It enables you to highlight a word and be shown a display of its synonyms.
GLOSSARIES
A glossary is a list of specialized terms and their definitions. It is often found in the back of a book and sometimes includes pronunciations. Many textbooks contain glossaries.