It’s been one year – 52 editions of Wondrous Words Wednesday. Kathy (Bermuda Onion) started this great weekly feature a year ago. I’m so glad she did. It’s been great fun paying attention to new words as I read.
I haven’t counted up the numbers but, let’s say I discovered just two words a week. Over the course of a year that’s 104 new words! Wow, I haven’t learned that many new words since, oh, probably the fifth grade.
Most of my words have come from the books and magazines I read. I love discovering new words in the posts of my blogging friends. Below are two such words. The first is from Jill (Rhapsody in Books), who I swear has the best vocabulary on the internet.
1. autodidact: ” . . . because in fact, she is an accomplished autodidact who is well-versed in philosophy, music, and art.” (Jill was reviewing The Elegance of the Hedgehog on January 27.)
Autodidact is a noun meaning a self-taught person.
This next one comes from Molly (A Cozy Book Nook), also on January 27. She was describing an assignment she had given her high school students.
2. Dialectic: “First I should introduce you to the term “dialectic journals” Students in all three classes (8th grade is excluded) are bemoaning the fact that I make them do this tedious chore.” And then, being such a good teacher, she went on to define the word for us.
What is a dialectic journal you ask? It is notebook where students write down quotes from the book that they find significant – and then explain to me why they chose that particular text.
Two good words, aren’t they. Thanks to Jill and Molly for improving my vocabulary. And thanks so much to Kathy for being the gracious and faithful hostess for Wondrous Words Wednesday. Visit her for more new words.
Love the picture of the cupcake – suddenly I am very hungry!
I tell my students that dialectic comes from the word dialog. They will be having a conversation, or dialog, with the author. The author’s portion of the conversation will be the text that he/she wrote – the student’s portion will be the insights they had while reading those textual words.
I had to look up autodidact when I read Elegance of the Hedgehog
I have decided that it is a term that fits me well.
Thank you so much for letting me know it’s been a year! I, obviously, haven’t been paying attention. I have really appreciated your loyal participation this past year! I love that you use so many sources for your words. You found two more great ones this week!
two great words! luv, luv, LUV ‘autodidact’…could prob’ly be used to describe ALL participants in WWW, wouldn’t ya think?!
Happy Reading!
Love the cupcake picture!!! Happy one year of participating!!!
That cupcake looks delicious! I’ve always loved the word autodidact, although I’ve never used it in a sentence. It’s such an optimistic word, I think. I didn’t know the term dialectic journal – and now I’m thinking I’d love to start one!
Thank you for the “birthday info”–I will add that to my post. Love the cupcake–nice touch. I think most bloggers are autodidactic. Your new words are indeed wondrous!
(P.S. Margot, I mention you in my post!
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I have been learning many of those words that you share with us each week – so thank you! I liked both of today’s words. They work well together actually. Keeping a dialectic journal is a great way to become an autodidact!
What wonderful words you found. I really like them both!
Great words!!!
I’ve always thought autodidact was a great word. I had heard it several times before I bothered to look it up.
My words are here.
When I saw the cupcake I thought you were celebrating another family birthday
I didn’t know the term “dialectic journal” … I keep my dialectic favorites on scraps of paper (putting them in a journal is so smart)
I love the word ‘autodidact’ and thought of how anyone whom it fits would naturally be an avid reader!