Use guide words

Learning Objectives Identify guide words on a dictionary or glossary page. Explain the purpose of guide words in various reference materials. Determine if a given word falls alphabetically between a pair of guide words. Locate a specific word on a dictionary page using guide words efficiently. Distinguish between words that belong and do not belong on a page based on its guide words. Apply guide word knowledge to navigate reference materials more quickly and accurately. Ever felt lost trying to find a single word in a giant dictionary or textbook glossary? 🗺️ What if there was a secret map on every page to guide you? In this lesson, you'll discover the power of guide words – those helpful words at the top of dictionary and glossary pages. Learning to use them will tran...

TermDefinitionExample Guide WordsThe two words located at the top of a dictionary or glossary page that indicate the very first and very last entry words found on that specific page.On a page with guide words 'apple' and 'apron', all words on that page will come alphabetically after 'apple' and before 'apron'. Entry Word (Headword)The main word being defined or explained in a dictionary or glossary entry. These are typically bolded.In a dictionary entry for 'curiosity', 'curiosity' is the entry word. Alphabetical OrderThe arrangement of words or names in sequence according to the letters of the alphabet, comparing letter by letter from left to right.'Banana' comes before 'bear' because 'a' comes befo...

The 'Between' Rule A target word belongs on a dictionary or glossary page if and only if it comes alphabetically AFTER the first guide word and BEFORE the second guide word. This rule is fundamental. If a word is alphabetically equal to or before the first guide word, or equal to or after the second guide word, it is NOT on that page. Letter-by-Letter Comparison When comparing words to determine alphabetical order, always compare them one letter at a time, starting from the first letter on the left. Continue comparing letters until you find the first letter that is different. The word with the letter that comes earlier in the alphabet at that point is the one that comes first alphabetically. First Letter Priority If the first letters of the guide words and th...