Monday, September 7, 2009

Using A Visual Thesaurus

A while ago, I told you about The Synonym Finder but J. I. Rodale. It’s a huge, thick book with tremendous information on synonyms which I am always searching for. I use it daily to find a better word than the one I'm using or to find a different word so I don't have to repeat the same word over and over.

But I stumbled upon a unique thesaurus that is available on the Internet. It provides a multitude of information as well as creates a colorful image as you study the words. It's easy to use. Type the word you you want to explore in the blank and then hit When you need a synonym or antonym or sometimes a different take on a word, searching for exactly what you want can be difficult. One of the best books I’ve found to find this information is called The Synonym Finder by J. I. Rodale. but if you’re on the Internet and want to try a visual thesaurus, try Visuwords at http://www.visuwords.com/

This site color codes the words to indicate categories: noun, verb, adjective or adverb. It also provides such information about the word as: a derivation, an attribute, a kind of or part of, entails or causes and so many other pieces of information. You can narrow down your search with the list on the left side of the screen. When you place your curser over each of the circles, it will provide a box for more explanation. Give it a try. I used the word "substance" and was surprised at the information the thesaurus provided.

You’ll get more synonyms from the book by Rodale, but you can receive a quick answer with a broader scope of information from Visuwords and an amazing display as well.

11 comments:

Keli Gwyn said...

What a cool tool. Thanks for sharing the information.

Gail Gaymer Martin said...

I found it interesting too Keli. It gives such a wide variety of options and that helps to trigger the imagination even more. I love the visual part.

Gail

Carla Gade said...

Gail, you always give us some great resources and this is one of them! Very cool.

Gail Gaymer Martin said...

Thanks, Carla. I find it very unique. I like that it shows relationships with words too.

Gail

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this is very useful. thanks for your thoughts :)

Maryannwrites said...

Hi Gail, I read your guest blog on Novel Journey and had to come over to tell you how much I enjoyed that. It was one of the best explanations of passive writing. I especially like that you clarified that sometimes it is good to use 'was'.

Gail Gaymer Martin said...

Hi Marianne - Thanks so much. I have lots a great things in this blog on writing so please join us and you're encourged to sign up for the notification of a new blog sicne that's the best way to catch anything new. I love helping writers this way. My time is so precious but this is one thing I can do for many writers.

Martha Ramirez said...

I have nominated you for the Kreative Blogger Award:) www.martzbookz.blogspot.com

Martha Ramirez said...

BTW Gail this was an excellent tip! I use it all the time:) Thanks!

Faithful said...

Thanks for this information! I know it would be totally helpful

Gail Gaymer Martin said...

Hi Faithful, Glad you find this helpful too.

Happy New Year.
Gail