Keep a vocabulary journal

A vocabulary journal is a notebook (or single document) where you keep track of every interesting word you meet. It is different from a worksheet — the words come from real reading, real lessons, real conversations. Over a year, a journal turns into a personal dictionary of words you actually use.

Five fields per entry

• Word — write it carefully, spelled correctly.
• Part of speech — noun, verb, adjective, or adverb.
• Definition — in your own words, short and clear.
• Example sentence — your own sentence, not the book’s.
• Where I saw it — book title, page, or lesson so you can return to the context.

The five-step journaling routine

1. Notice — circle or jot any word you cannot explain in your own words.
2. Record — copy the word into your journal under a fresh entry header.
3. Define — rewrite the meaning in your own words after a quick check.
4. Use — write a fresh sentence that shows the word in action.
5. Review — read the last week of entries aloud every Friday.

How many words per week

Aim for three to five new entries per week — one a day, give or take. That is enough to grow your vocabulary fast without turning the journal into a chore. Quality matters more than quantity. A word you actually use in writing is worth ten words you never see again.