Learn English Vocabulary from Editorials: A Beginner's Guide

Build English vocabulary from editorials easily. Start with topics like cricket or fashion, then move to editorials. Ideal for UPSC, SSC, and banking exams

ACUTEMAP LEARNING ARTICLES

1/12/20252 min read

Learning English vocabulary through editorials is an effective method for students and aspirants of government exams like UPSC, SSC, and banking exams. However, diving straight into editorials can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners. A practical approach is to start with sections of the newspaper that match your interests, like sports or fashion, and gradually transition to editorial pages. Here's a guide to mastering vocabulary using editorials.

Step 1: Start with Topics of Interest

If you're new to reading newspapers, begin with topics that excite you. For example:

If you love cricket, read the sports section. Pay attention to terms used in cricket analysis.
- Example: "India's bowling attack is resilient, while the batting lineup is dynamic."
- Vocabulary learned: Resilient (strong, quick to recover), Dynamic (energetic, constantly changing).
If you enjoy fashion, read about trends and styles.
- Example: "This year's collection is exquisite, featuring a blend of contemporary and vintage elements."
- Vocabulary learned: Exquisite (beautiful, delicate), Contemporary (modern), Vintage (classic, old-fashioned).

Why this helps: Starting with familiar and interesting topics makes reading enjoyable, and you subconsciously learn new words.

Step 2: Gradually Transition to Editorial Pages

Once you're comfortable with regular sections, move to editorial pages. Editorials provide in-depth analysis and are rich in advanced vocabulary. Here's how to make the most of them:

Read one editorial daily.
Highlight unfamiliar words and note them in a notebook or mobile app like Google Keep.
Look up their meanings and use them in sentences to memorize effectively.

Step 3: Focus on Contextual Learning

Vocabulary sticks better when learned in context. Editorials provide real-life scenarios where words are naturally used. For example:

Sentence: "The government's decision has sparked a debate over its efficacy."
- Vocabulary: Debate (discussion, argument), Efficacy (effectiveness).
Sentence: "The proposal was met with criticism for being ambiguous and lacking transparency."
- Vocabulary: Criticism (disapproval), Ambiguous (unclear), Transparency (clarity).

Step 4: Use a Notebook or Digital Tools

Write down words you learn, their meanings, and sentences in a notebook.
Alternatively, use apps like Quizlet or Anki to create flashcards for quick revision.

Step 5: Practice Writing and Speaking

To reinforce vocabulary:

Write short summaries of the editorials you read, using new words.
Practice speaking by discussing the editorial's topic with friends or in mock interviews.

Bonus Tip: Follow Interest-Based Learning

Even after starting with editorials, continue reading other sections you enjoy. For instance:

If you love movies, read film reviews.
If you're interested in business, read economic columns.

Conclusion

Building English vocabulary from editorials is a gradual process that requires consistency and interest. Start with familiar sections like sports or fashion, progress to editorials, and use digital tools for practice. This method is particularly helpful for students preparing for exams like UPSC, SSC, and banking, where vocabulary plays a crucial role.

Additional Resource:
Check out our YouTube channel, Acutemap (Click Here), where we explain difficult vocabulary through animated videos and subtitles for better understanding.