Reference Books

A reference book contains useful facts or organized information. A dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, and

encyclopedia are examples of reference books.

0301.4.3 Use reference materials (e.g., dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, and encyclopedia).

Dictionary

Lists the words of a language, such as English, in alphabetical order.

Each entry word in the dictionary shows the spelling, pronunciation, meanings, and part-of-speech, and more.

Some dictionary entries have: A sample sentence or phrase to

show how the word is used printed in slanted type following the difinition.

A picture to show what a word means. Some pictures have captions to give more information.

The word history, the language the English word came from.

king·fish·er (king fish ər), a bright-colored bird with a short tail, a long strong sharp beak, and usually a bunch of feathers on the head. Kingfishers eat fish and insects. Noun.

Thesaurus

A thesaurus is a reference book that provides synonyms, or words that have the same or similar meanings, and at least one antonym, or word that has the opposite meanings.

A thesaurus helps you keep from using the same word repeatedly in your writing. It can also help you find a word for an idea you have in mind.

Greek Origin

Thesaurus comes from the Greek word theasaros meaning a “storehouse or treasury”. Learning to use the Thesaurus will let you use this storehouse of useful words to add sparkle to your writing.

Main Entry: Main Entry: prettypretty  [prit-ee] ˈprɪt i/  [prit-ee] ˈprɪt i/ Part of Speech: Part of Speech: adjective adjective Definition: attractive Definition: attractive Synonyms: Synonyms: appealingappealing, , beautifulbeautiful, , charmingcharming, , cheerfulcheerful, , comelycomely, , cutecute, , daintydainty, , darlingdarling, , delicatedelicate, , delightfuldelightful, dreamboat, , dreamboat, elegantelegant, , fairfair, , finefine, , foxyfoxy*, good-looking, *, good-looking, gracefulgraceful, , handsome,handsome, lovelylovely, , neatneat, , nicenice, , picturepicture, , pleasantpleasant, , pleasingpleasing, , tastefultasteful

Antonyms: Antonyms: disgustingdisgusting, , uglyugly

Encyclopedia

An encyclopedia tells about people, places, things, events, and ideas. It provides true information that is easy to understand and easy to find.

All articles, called entries, are arranged in alphabetical order.

Articles in an encyclopedia are arranged in alphabetical order. All entries that begin with the letter “A” are found in Volume A, everything that starts with “B” is in Volume B, and so on.

A volume is one book of a related “set”. Encyclopedia sets contain Volume A through Volume Z.

Guide WordsGuide Words

Guide wordsGuide words are found at the top of are found at the top of encyclopedia pages. The purpose of a encyclopedia pages. The purpose of a guide word is to help you locate the guide word is to help you locate the entry (subject) you are looking for.entry (subject) you are looking for.

The guide word on the The guide word on the leftleft page is the page is the first page (or continuing page) of an first page (or continuing page) of an article. The guide word on the article. The guide word on the rightright is is the title of the last article on the page.the title of the last article on the page.

AtlasAtlas

An An atlasatlas is a collection of maps in is a collection of maps in book form.book form.

There are many kinds of atlases, but There are many kinds of atlases, but the two we use most are the the two we use most are the Atlas of Atlas of the United Statesthe United States and the and the World AtlasWorld Atlas..

All atlases have a All atlases have a Table of ContentsTable of Contents and an and an IndexIndex. Use these tools to . Use these tools to locate the information you need.locate the information you need.

Atlas Features Atlases have a Atlases have a KeyKey or or LegendLegend to to

explain the symbols on the maps.explain the symbols on the maps. An atlas has two main kinds of An atlas has two main kinds of

maps: maps: politicalpolitical and and physical.physical. A A political mappolitical map shows boundaries shows boundaries

or borders, states or countries, or borders, states or countries, capital cities, and large cities. A capital cities, and large cities. A physical map shows physical shows physical features like mountains, rivers, features like mountains, rivers, deserts, and plains.deserts, and plains.

Atlases have maps that show landforms, Atlases have maps that show landforms, elevation, climate, weather, natural elevation, climate, weather, natural

vegetation, population density, land use, vegetation, population density, land use, geology, and many other kinds of geology, and many other kinds of

information about our world.information about our world.

Many atlases have information boxes or almanacs that give facts about the state, country, or continent, like the capital city,

state symbols, products, places to visit, and more.

Quick Facts: Tennessee Capital City: Nashville Nickname: Volunteer State Motto: Agriculture and Commerce Statehood: June 1, 1796 (16th) Origin of State's Name: Named after Cherokee Indian

villages called "Tanasi“

Largest Cities: Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville

Border States: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia

Land Area:41,220 sq. mi., 34th largest State Bird: Mockingbird State Flower: Iris (iridaceae) State Tree: Tulip poplar (liriodendron tulipifera) State Song: The Tennessee Waltz

Longitude and latitude grids are used to locate any place on land and sea.

Internet

The dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, and The dictionary, thesaurus, atlas, and encyclopedia, can also be found on encyclopedia, can also be found on the the internet.internet.

Today we have talked about sources Today we have talked about sources found in our library. You must have found in our library. You must have knowledge and skill to use these knowledge and skill to use these reference books.reference books.