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Learn how to build your reading vocabulary by making a KIM Chart (key word, information, and memory cue).
Video Transcript
Video Reference Guide
KIM Vocabulary Chart Template
| 0:00 | Owl: Welcome to How to make a KIM Chart, an instructional video on reading comprehension brought to you by the Excelsior University Online Writing Lab. |
| 0:11 | One way to improve your vocabulary is to create a KIM chart for the new words you encounter. |
| 0:17 | This will help you improve your reading comprehension and keep track of new terms. |
| 0:22 | “KIM” is an acronym that stands for: |
| 0:25 | Key Word, |
| 0:26 | Information, |
| 0:27 | and Memory Cue. |
| 0:29 | A KIM chart has a column for each of these categories and rows for each new word. |
| 0:35 | To make a KIM Chart, take a sheet of paper and draw three columns. |
| 0:39 | At the top of the first column write “Key Word.” |
| 0:43 | At the top of the second column write “Information.” |
| 0:47 | Beneath that write “Definition of the Word” in parentheses. |
| 0:51 | At the top of the third column write “Memory Cue.” |
| 0:56 | Beneath that write “sentence or picture” in parentheses. |
| 1:00 | Then draw a bunch of lines from left to right to indicate rows. |
| 1:05 | In the first row, write a key word in the first column. |
| 1:09 | For instance, let’s write “prevaricate.” |
| 1:13 | Now, in the second column write the following definition: |
| 1:17 | to speak or act in an evasive way |
| 1:21 | Finally, in the third column practice using the new word in a sentence. |
| 1:25 | Here’s one: |
| 1:26 | The diplomat was a master of prevarication; he never said what he meant, and he hardly meant what he said. |
| 1:34 | Make the chart as long as you need it by adding additional pages to list all of the new words you encounter. |
| 1:39 | That’s it! |
| 1:41 | With a KIM Chart in your notebook, you’ll be ready to look up and add new words any time the need arises! |
| 1:47 | Click here for a KIM Chart template that you can download and take with you. |
| 1:52 | Thanks for listening to this instructional video on How to Make a KIM Chart! |
| 1:57 | Visit the Excelsior University Online Writing Lab for more support with reading and writing skills. |
