Want to improve your vocabulary? Read these classic literature books
What's the story
Reading classic literature is a tried-and-tested way to improve one's vocabulary.
These works, mostly written in rich and varied language, expose readers to words and phrases that are rarely used in modern times.
By reading the works, you can increase your lexicon and become a better speaker/writer.
Here are five ways to improve vocabulary by reading classic literature.
Classic Example 1
Explore 'Pride and Prejudice' for rich language
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is a treasure trove of refined language.
The readers can find words describing social interactions, emotions, and settings in exquisite detail.
By noting the words you don't know and looking up their meanings, you can slowly broaden your vocabulary.
This book also gives context to understand how these words were used in the past.
Classic example 2
Use 'Moby-Dick' for nautical terms
If you're looking for a book to learn nautical terminology, Herman Melville's Moby-Dick is perfect.
The book is replete with descriptions of the sea-life, ships, and maritime adventures.
People looking to improve their knowledge of this particular lexicon will find it useful to dive into this classic.
Knowing these terms can also help you understand other seafaring literature better.
Classic example 3
Discover descriptive language in 'Wuthering Heights'
Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights is famous for its vivid descriptive language.
How can you forget the moody landscapes of the Yorkshire moors?
From this, you can learn how adjectives are effectively used to evoke atmosphere and emotion.
By studying Bronte's use of descriptive language, you can gain insights into crafting more expressive sentences.
Classic example 4
Analyze dialogue in 'The Great Gatsby'
F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby gives a chance to study Jazz Age era dialogue.
The conversations between characters tell a lot about the social norms, cultural nuances of the time period.
Observing how Fitzgerald uses dialogue can help readers get a sense of character development through speech patterns. It also exposes them to period-specific slang.
Classic example 5
Expand vocabulary with Shakespearean plays
William Shakespeare's plays are a treasure trove of linguistic creativity, with inventive wordplay, metaphors, and idiomatic expressions still relevant today, centuries after they were first penned.
Engaging with his works gives readers not just access but appreciation toward Elizabethan English, which enriches modern-day communication skills by providing historical context behind certain phrases or sayings we use now without realizing their origins.