PERSONAL

DICTIONARY
BY: DANIEL
PLANCARTE
 Melodrama
Noun
Context: “ While 19050s melodramas warned against us letting anything
dilute the commitment to getting married… how not to make their marriage
and family work.” ( Coontz 31).
My Guess:I personally thought that the word meant some kind of clam tv
show since the word melo means calm or tranquility.
Definition:a sensational dramatic piece with exaggerated characters and
exciting events intended to appeal to the emotions.
Visualization: I choose that image because it shows that the actors in
these tv shows are more dramatic than what actually happens in real life.
Why it matters: This word matter because it conveys the meaning the
coontz was trying to show that these tv shows dramatized the life of the
nuclear family and that it was going to be unreachable.
 Syndicatio
n
Context: “ the marketing experts who never allowed the kids in Ozzie and
Harriet sitcoms to be shown drinking milk, for the fear of offending soft drink
Noun
companies that might sponsor the show in syndication ” ( Coontz 39).
My Guess:I thought the word meant to come together or to make something
new
Definition:the sale or licensing of material for publication or broadcasting
by a number of television stations, periodicals, etc.
Visualization: I choose this image because it shows the relationship
between media outlets and the user.
Why it matters: This word matters in the text because it shows how media
plays a big role in telling people what they want and need.
 Vicissitud
Context: “ … develop es the judgement and character to survive life’s
vicissitudes. ( Ravitch 109).
Noun
My Guess: When I first read the word I thought it meant something
positive and uplifting since it was talking about how schools give students
new intelligence.
Definition: a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is
unwelcome or unpleasant.
Visualization: I choose that image because it shows that life change
change in a good or bad direction no matter how prosperous you are.
Why it matters: This word matters in the text because it shows how
media plays a big role in telling people what they want and need.
 Propaedeut
ic
Context: “The propaedeutic function.” ( Gatto 119).
Noun
My Guess: When I first read the word I thought it meant something
about the biology of how kids learn because it seemed like word that I
have heard in biology before.
Definition: an introduction to a subject or area of study.
Visualization: I choose that image because it shows that students
are learning something new and they are getting introduced to the topic
by the teacher.
Why it matters: This word matters in the text because tells the
reader that not all the students are getting the same education they are
just getting the surface level.
 Clerical
Adjective
Context: “...to whom a more “practical” curriculum is offered
(manual skills, clerical knowledge).” ( Anyon 137)
My Guess: I thought this word was going to mean something to do
with the church and learning about how to be better in church.
Definition: concerned with or relating to work in an office, especially
routine documentation and administrative task
Visualization: I choose this image because it shows an assistant
or secretary doing work
Why it matters: This word matters in the text because it gives the
reader context on what kinds of jobs the schools want children to get
once they are done.
 Manipulabl
es
Context: “later, she tells the investigator that her goals in math are
Adjective
to develop their reasoning and mathematical thinking and that,
unfortunately, “there’s no time for manipulables.” ( Anyon 149).
My Guess: When I first read the word I thought it meant that is was
going to multiply since it was talking about math in the text.
Definition:capable of or susceptible to being manipulated
Visualization: I choose that image because it shows that hand is
trying to manipulate something or someone.
Why it matters: This word matters in the text because tells the
reader kids that live in more affluent areas have more freedom that
other students.
 Articulate
Adjective
Context: “ In the street, I had been the most articulate hustler out
there..”( Malcolm X 161).
My Guess: When I first read the word I thought it meant to do
something with form or structure.
Definition: having or showing the ability to speak fluently and
coherently.
Visualization: I choose that image because it shows speech givers
have good speech and pronunciation.
Why it matters: This word matters in the text because tells the
reader the author used to be only talk in slang.
 Emulate
Noun
Context: “ Bimbi had always taken charge of any conversation he
was in, and I had tried to emulate him.”(Malcolm X 161)
My Guess: When I first read the passage I thought the word meant
study or to take notes of a person's character or demeanor.
Definition: match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by
imitation.
Visualization: I choose that image because it shows how the son is
trying to be like the dad and copying what he is doing.
Why it matters: This word matters in the text because it informs
the reader that the author was not good at formal talking and was
trying to copy his friend who was.
 Immensely
adverb
Context: “... thinking about those words- immensely proud to realize
that not only had I written so much at one time..” (malcolm X 162)
My Guess: When I read it for the first time I thought the word meant
large
Definition: to a great extent; extremely
Visualization: I choose that image because it shows that the player
has a great extent of love for this sport.
Why it matters: This word matters in the text because tells the
reader the author was proud of being able to do something that he
thought her wouldn't be able to do.
 Atrocities
Noun
Context: “ I read descriptions of atrocities saw those illustrations of
black slave women…” (Malcom X 165)
My Guess: When I first read the word it meant something to do with
art in a negative aspect
Definition: an extremely wicked or cruel act, typically one involving
physical violence or injury.
Visualization: I choose that image because it shows what people in
the past had to go through in order for many of us to be where we are
today socially and politically. It also shows the realities of many people
back when slavery was happening.
Why it matters: This word matters in the text it shows where the
author learned of his past and that his people are not treated right