Synonym Chart for Butler, Chira, and Brooks

Understanding Key Vocabulary – Synonym Chart for Butler, Chira, and Brooks

This activity helps students utilize collective knowledge about key terms while also drawing their attention to various ways of researching words they will encounter in these texts. It also sensitizes students to shades of meaning among synonyms.

Each of the texts in this module includes some words that may be new to the students. Using the key vocabulary and synonym table below based on three of the texts, ask students to check off any words and/or their synonyms with which they are familiar (“familiar” meaning that they would recognize and understand these words if they saw them in another context). Then ask students to work in pairs to brainstorm an additional fifteen synonyms in the far right column for any of the key vocabulary words that they find particularly intriguing or useful. They can find synonyms by questioning one another, using their cell phones to find definitions, using electronic or print dictionaries, or searching on classroom computers for acceptable synonyms. Finally, if there is time, students can work briefly in foursomes (two pairs to a group) to share their newly expanded synonym lists and exchange some of the synonyms they like best.

Activity 6: Understanding Key Vocabulary – Synonym Chart for Butler, Chira, and Brooks

Using the vocabulary and synonym table below, review the list of key vocabulary words for each author, checking off any words and/or their synonyms you know (meaning you would recognize and understand these words if you saw them in another context). Then, working individually or in pairs, brainstorm an additional 26 synonyms in the far-right column for any of the key vocabulary words that you find particularly intriguing or useful. You can find synonyms using a number of resources: ask a classmate, use your cell phone to find definitions, use electronic or print dictionaries, or search on a classroom computer for acceptable synonyms. As you generate synonyms, discuss what new predictions these vocabulary words lead you to make about the articles. 

Author

Vocabulary Word or Phrase

Synonym or a Similar Phrase

Another Synonym or a Similar Phrase

Judith Butler

negate

expunge

eradicate

comply

gender norms

coercion

deny

wipe out

eliminate

obey

sex-linked expectations

force

Susan Chira

harassment

uppity

intractable

embodied

status quo

stark

banter

wield

entitlement

status

dexterous

hierarchical

hyperbolic

persecution

self-assertive

resistant, hard to change

represented

current state

obvious

repartee, joking conversation

use

privilege

level, stature

skillful

ranked

exaggerated 

David Brooks

rambunctious

plummet

lewd

eminent

homogeneous

cretin

social engineering

very active, noisy

drop

vulgar

well-known

all the same

idiot, stupid person

using policies based on social science to deal with social problems