Pronouncing Technical Terms by Their Parts

Read long subject-area words smoothly by breaking them into meaningful parts.

Science and social studies texts are full of long words that can stop you mid-sentence. Instead of guessing, break the word into parts you recognize: prefixes, roots, and suffixes. Take 'photosynthesis. ' Split it as photo / syn / the / sis. 'Photo' (light) and 'synthesis' (putting together) are both from Greek, so the word means putting things together using light. Or 'hydroelectric': hydro (water) + electric. Once you see the parts, you can say the word smoothly and often guess its meaning.

Practice by reading the word slowly in parts, then blending it at normal speed two or three times before reading the whole sentence. If a word still won't come, say your best attempt and keep the sentence moving, then check the pronunciation guide or glossary afterward. Stopping completely breaks the flow and makes the rest of the sentence harder to understand.

• 1Split long words into prefix, root, and suffix
• 2Known parts help with both pronunciation and meaning
• 3Practice the word in parts, then blend it smoothly
• 4Make a best attempt and check the glossary later