Use guide words

Learning Objectives Locate a target word in a physical dictionary or index with maximum efficiency by correctly interpreting guide words. Infer the inclusion or exclusion of a complex academic term on a page based solely on its guide words. Analyze the precise alphabetical range of a dictionary page to predict the location of related terms or word families. Apply the principles of guide words to navigate other alphabetized reference materials, such as literary anthologies, critical theory indexes, and bibliographies. Evaluate the scope of a dictionary section for research purposes, such as exploring the etymology of a term used in American literature. Synthesize knowledge of guide words with an understanding of lexicographical order to resolve placement questions for hyphenate...

TermDefinitionExample Guide WordsThe two words printed at the top of each dictionary page that indicate the first and last entry words on that page.If the guide words are 'pensive — percolate', the first word on the page is 'pensive' and the last is 'percolate'. Entry WordThe specific word or phrase being defined in a dictionary, listed in boldface type.In the definition for 'the quality of being persistent', the entry word is 'persistence'. Lexicographical OrderThe strict, letter-by-letter alphabetical sequence used to arrange words in a dictionary. It is more precise than simple alphabetical order as it accounts for every character.'Catcher' comes before 'catching' because, after 'catch', the 'e' i...

The 'Between' Rule A target word belongs on a page if and only if it falls alphabetically between the first guide word and the second guide word. This is the fundamental principle. The target word must come alphabetically after the first guide word (or be the first guide word itself) AND before the second guide word (or be the second guide word itself). The Letter-by-Letter Comparison Protocol Comparison between the target word and guide words must proceed one letter at a time, from left to right, until a difference is found. Do not just look at the first few letters. The first point of alphabetical difference determines the word's placement. For example, 'systematic' comes after 'system' because the 7th letter, 'a', comes after t...