Understanding Multisyllabic Words

Understanding Multisyllabic Words

• Multisyllabic words are words with more than one syllable (vowel sound).
• Reading improves knowledge and expands horizons (Dr. Seuss quote).
• Difficulty with words increases with age.
• Decoding multisyllabic words involves breaking them into syllables and understanding vowel sounds.

Syllable Breakdown Example

• "multisyllabic" broken into syllables: mul / ti / syl / lab / ic

Multisyllabic Spelling Patterns

• Recognising patterns in vowel and consonant combinations helps decode multisyllabic words.
• Charts/lists of spelling patterns are useful for practice.

Examples of Multisyllabic Word Breakdown & Decoding

• napkin: nap / kin
• silent: si / lent
• model: mod / el
• dolphin: dol / phin
• partner: part / ner
• science: sci / ence
• decide: de / cide
• guitar: gui / tar

Affixes in Multisyllabic Words

• Affixes are parts added before (prefixes) or after (suffixes) root words.

• Prefixes are added at the beginning e.g., mis-, dis-, ex-, re-.

• Suffixes are added at the end e.g., -le, -ed, -ing, -less, -ful, -able, -ible, -ous.

• Decoding words with affixes involves separating the affix(es) from the root word.

• Examples of words with affixes and their breakdown:

  • misleading: mis / lead / ing
  • discover: dis / cov / er
  • exclaim: ex / claim
  • regenerate: re / gen / er / ate
  • remarkable: re / mark / a / ble
  • startle: star / tle
  • outrageous: out / ra / geous
  • convertible: con / vert / i / ble
  • disrespectful: dis / re / spect / ful

Multisyllabic Words in Context (Example)

• The example text discusses Sally Ride's achievements in space.

• Examples of multisyllabic words found within the context:

  • American
  • Challenger
  • Obtaining
  • Doctorate
  • University
  • Astronaut
  • Aeronautics
  • Administration
  • Accomplishments
  • Robotic

• The more exposure to multisyllabic words, the easier decoding becomes.