Alphabetization Reviewed



Note: You would do well to heed my advice about avoiding alphabetical order to arrange vocabulary study lists: take the time to organize vocabulary in a more meaningful manner.

Outside of onomatopoeia and a few exceptions, words in English share no correlation between phonology and semantics, thus alphabetical order does absolutely nothing to pass lexical information from short to long-term memory. Alphabetical order for miscellaneous lists would, on the other hand, benefit students that are currently developing critical alphabetic principle skills to learn how to read and write, whether in their native or a foreign language. Unfortunately, the reality for most older students that are already literate in more than one language is that they have as of yet to develop phonemic awareness in the target language.

index finger
middle finger
ring finger
little finger/ pinky
thumb
palm
back of the hand
fist
knuckle
fingernail
thumbnail
fingerprint
thumbprint
handprint

hinge
peephole
doorbell
deadbolt
lock
keyhole
door handle
doorknob
panel
doorstop
threshold

file
edit
view
insert
format
bookmarks
history
tools
table
window
help

drop-dead gorgeous
gorgeous
beautiful
stunning
fixing
fair
pretty
debonair
dapper
dashing
handsome
good-looking





Note: Students are encouraged to take notes throughout this section. Although the main idea is to focus on your teacher's voice, take advantage of the opportunity to improve your lexical development skills. Review, reorganize, and study your notes as much as your schedule allows.