Roget's Descriptive Word Finder: A Dictionary/Thesaurus of Adjectives

by Barbara Ann Kipfer

Book Overview

An author's guide to choosing the right word offers readers a topical organization to Roget's classic reference source of the right descriptive adjective or adverb. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582971706
• ISBN13: 9781582971704
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Writer's Digest Books
• Length: 457 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

The Definitive Descriptive Word Finder

Barbara Ann Kipfer is probably best known for her book, "Flip Dictionary," which in itself is a wonder book. However, the present book builds on a standard dictionary or thesaurus in that it pinpoints the exact word to color an author's content based upon a unique system of categorical organization. Roget's Descriptive Word Finder is the ideal companion to writers and consumers alike. It's the first comprehensive resource for the adjective hunter. It's a rich resource of 457 pages packed with information that never lets you down. Like other equally poignant works that she has delivered, such as the Flip Dictionary, Barbara Ann Kipfer is a true leader in innovative ways of settling the word debt that face most people who dare to write. In this powerful and original work, she loads 30 pages of almost 600 categories, which incorporate opposites like good-bad, happy-sad, etc. the work provides you with the precise word that colors your prose to perfection. Other reviewers are missing the point. This reference work is not a thesaurus. It is a work for providing the most evocative adjectives. It is no substitute for a thesaurus, but unlike a thesaurus, it leaves you with a list of words uncluttered with unnecessary words in other parts of speech. And, unlike a thesaurus, it provides a simple definition with each entry to ensure precise meaning, especially important with less familiar words. Dr. Kipfer possesses a distinguished academic background. And with 25 titles under her belt, she ranks as a solid talent in the word business. I only wished such books were available when I was in school. A must read for any serious writer.

marvelous book

This book is fun to browe. Also, the book was in top condition and the service was very prompt. I would buy from this seller again. Thank you!

Quirky, Useful, Fun, Educational, Expanding

Quality, sparingly-used adjectives aren't the bane of good writing and vivid word paintings - ADVERBS are. I find this book invaluable in searching for the unusual, lyrical, 'dead-on' adjective to fit a particular scene or mood. I prefer it to a thesaurus because of its ease of use, smaller size, and 'quirkier' approach. Yes, there are a lot of words that a reader would not be familiar with. But so what? Sometimes a word is perfect anyway, because of the image its sound invokes, the meaning made clear by the context. You are more likely to be tripped up by the 'uh oh, this writer is using a thesaurus' approach in using a thesaurus than this book. Besides, thumbing through it is incredible fun, as well as opening one's eyes to potential new vistas. It doesn't replace a thesaurus, but it's a more-than-worthy companion (I use it more often, by 2-3 times), and is seldom more than arm's length at my desk.

Over five hundred entries

Roget's Descriptive Word Finder blends a dictionary and thesaurus devoted exclusively to adjectives, offering thousands of descriptions for people, places and things and presenting a theme organization which brings related words together. There are over five hundred entries which are designed to appeal both as quick references and as browsing material.

Finding the right adjective

I am quite sure that almost anyone, who has ever taken an English course in high school or college, had to purchase at least one copy of Roget?s Thesaurus.I never knew, until recently, the derivation of the term ?thesaurus.? Apparently the term had been derived from the post-medieval version of Latin, and it basically means treasure or a storehouse. We immediately associate the term thesaurus with Roget, whose full name was Peter Mark Roget. This brilliant individual was a medical doctor, philologist, scientist and lexicographer, and the first to create a thesaurus of English Words and Phrases.Quite interesting, the first Thesaurus Dr. Roger had drawn up was in 1805 for his own personal use. Only after 47 years when he was 73 did he reveal this gem that to many individuals is the most important book ever written along with the Bible and Webster?s dictionary. Dr. Barbara Ann Kipfer, author of more than twenty- five books, and who holds a Ph.D. in archaeology, a M.S. in linguistics, a B.S. in physical education, and is currently working on a Ph.D. in Buddhist studies, has put together a book containing thousands of words for describing people, places and things with adjectives. As mentioned in the introduction to her book entitled, Roget?s Descriptive Word Finder-A Dictionary/Thesaurus of Adjectives ?it is a combination dictionary and thesaurus exclusively for adjectives and adverbs.?The presentation is in the form of a detailed thematic scheme, providing a comprehensive reference on adjectives and adverbs for writers.As compared to a dictionary that places relating words apart in their alphabetical scheme of things, the human mind puts them together in categories. This book mirrors, to some extent, the human mind, in that it contains 572 easily understood categories.This book will invariably prove to be a godsend when you are at a loss for the right word that accurately describes something, someone or some place. As a thematic dictionary, the book focuses on adjectives and adverbs that aid the writer in vividly painting a more accurate picture of what he or she is trying to convey.As an example, suppose you wish to describe a room as being dark, however, you realize that ?dark? is not the most evocative word. You certainly do not want to resort to clichés, and thus you look up the term ?darkness? in Dr. Kipfer?s descriptive word finder. You will notice you have a choice of forty- four different terms. Perhaps, the room is gloomy, lightless, obscure, or you want to use the phrase ?shrouded in darkness.? Although this word finder should not be considered as a replacement for Roget?s Thesaurus, it nevertheless deserves a place on a writer?s bookshelf as another invaluable reference tool.