1. Analyze Word Structure
Chapter 2:
Analyze Word Structure

2. The Skill: Analyze Word Structure
Word structure analysis means using the structure (parts)of a word to figure out the word’s meaning.
The three types of word parts are prefixes, roots, and suffixes.
Like puzzle pieces, you can fit them together to get the overall “picture” (meaning).
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

3. Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
Prefixes
Prefixes are word parts that are added to the beginning of a base (root) word.
They add their meaning to the meaning of the base word. Example: prefix pre- (before) + fix (attach) = a word part that is attached before the root word
Prefixes can mean not, can indicate location or spatial relationships, number or amount, or have other meanings.
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

4. Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
Roots
Roots are base words to which other word parts (prefixes and suffixes) are added.
Each root has a specific meaning meaning.
Examples: aud = to hear audible (can be heard)
auditory (pertaining to hearing)
Knowing common roots can be the key to understanding entire “families” of related words. These groups of related words are called cognates.
Common roots: bio, mis, dict, and spect.
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

5. Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
Suffixes
Suffixes are word parts that are added at the end of a base word.
Some suffixes have a specific meaning; others change the root word’s part of speech.
Examples: joyful = full of joy
calmness (noun), calmer (adjective), calmly (adverb)
Common suffixes: -y, -ness, -ion, -er, -al, -able, and -ly.
Suffixes are not as helpful as other word parts.
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

6. Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
Memory Peg
Prefixes come first, like the dinosaur’s head.
The root is like the body.
Suffixes, like the tail, come at the end.
prefix
suffix
root
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

7. Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
The Technique
Use prefixes, roots, and suffixes to unlock word meanings.
Question to ask yourself:
“What clues do the parts of this word give me about the meaning of the word?”
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

8. Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
A word can consist of
a root only (scribe)
a prefix and a root (prescribe)
a prefix + root + suffix (prescription)
a root and a suffix (scripted)
Scribe, script = to write
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure

9. Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure
The Edge: Pointers
Use word structure clues to confirm guesses based on context clues.
Read the etymology at the end of a dictionary definition: It tells the word parts.
Word structure analysis is especially helpful for scientific and technical words; it doesn’t work for every word, though.
Prefixes and suffixes are usually separate syllables.
© 2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chapter 2: Analyze Word Structure