FAQ
General Program Questions
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What Is Verbocity?
Verbocity is a precision engineered vocabulary manager for teachers and a revolutionary vocabulary builder for students. The nucleus of the program is the first comprehensive inventory of Target Words that every English user should know. Personalized lessons and retention exercises target the gaps in a student's existing vocabulary and produce maximum retention in minimum time. -
What are Target Words and How were they selected?
Target Words are the most used and useful words in the English language. To identify how often particular words are actually used we subjected general and academic texts containing millions of words to a computerized frequency analysis. We then performed a critical review of classical literature and standardized educational tests to identify higher level concepts in general use. Compiling the results of these two studies yielded a database of over 9,300 words that comprise 99+% of all written and spoken English. -
Who uses Verbocity?
Anyone. Verbocity is the vocabulary solution for any English learner or user regardless of the size of their current vocabulary. The only requirement is the ability to read English at a basic level. -
Why should I invest my time and money in Verbocity?
Improved Thinking and Communication. Average students can now develop a vocabulary superior to that of even the most dedicated and disciplined students. Strong verbal skills provide the following benefits:1. Exceptional Test Scores – We guarantee that any student who completes the college test preparation word list will score in the top 1% on the SAT Critical Reading section or we will refund double the cost of their subscription.2. Exceptional Communication Skills – Most people’s conceptual skills are dormant or stunted by an inadequate vocabulary. Verbocity gives students the ability to precisely articulate their emotions, thoughts and desires.3. Exceptional Thinking Skills – A professional grade vocabulary allows students to process information quickly and effortlessly, a crucial skill to successful living in the information age. -
Does Verbocity improve Reading Comprehension?
Yes. Poor reading comprehension is almost always the result of a poor vocabulary. Students who understand the precise meaning of words can easily and quickly identify the nuances, implications and connotations of words they read and discover that reading is easy and an enjoyable pastime. -
Why should Teachers & Parents use Verbocity?
Greater control, efficiency and performance:1. Eliminate preparing and grading vocabulary tests.2. Coordinate vocabulary and class work with custom word lists.3. Detailed Student and Class statistics available at anytime.4. Students can do assigned lessons and tests via the internet 24/7.5. Analyze student submitted sentences for spelling, grammar, syntax etc. -
What does Verbocity Cost?
Students – Individual student subscriptions cost $28.95.Teachers/Parents – Teacher/Parent accounts are free. -
What does a Student Subscription Include?
Total Unlimited Access - Complete access to all the features and functions for as long as the student needs it. -
Do I need a PayPal account to subscribe?
No. Paypal will accept a credit card without setting up a PayPal account. -
Does each Student need their own account?
Yes. Verbocity delivers individualized instruction by maintaining a vocabulary profile for each student. Sharing an account would circumvent the lesson and test generation logic and result in decreased student performance. -
How do I sign up?
Student Sign Up - Individual student subscriptions are a one time fee of $28.95.Teacher/Parent Sign Up - Teacher/Parent accounts are free.School Quote – Send an email to Mr. Verbocity with information on the number of students and grade level and receive a free quote within 48 hours.
Operating Instructions
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How do I get started?
Students – Login and select the grade level you think closest fits your current vocabulary level. Adjust the grade level up or down based on the difficulty of Target Words presented. If you have difficulty using the words in a sentence or getting 100% on the retention quiz try a lower grade level.Teachers/Parents – Login and create either a class, word list or test.Class - Select open enrollment and add your students. (Closed enrollment means that students must request to join and you must accept them into the class)Word List - Either create your own list by entering the words separated only by a comma or import a Public Word List (A Public Word List is a custom word list created by another Teacher/Parent)Test - Create a test with up to a 20 words by entering the words separated only by a comma. Once created you can assign the test to any classes you have created. -
What’s in a Verbocity lesson?
Five Target Words & Retention Exam - A typical lesson consists of 5 Target Words selected from either a System Word List or a Custom Word List. Students study the spelling, pronunciation, definition and example sentences for Target Word and then submit their own sentence using a form of the Target Word. Students are then given a personalized retention quiz containing 20 previously studied Target Words. -
Why are Students Required to Submit a Sentence for each Target Word?
To Encourage Active Learning - Passively studying definitions and answering quiz questions will help students recognize a Target Word the next time they encounter it. However, in order to incorporate these Target Words into a person's thinking and communication it is important to have them use these words in their own contexts. -
What is the difference between a System Word List and Custom Word List?
System Word Lists – The Verbocity Database of Target Words is organized into lists by grade levels 2 – 12. We also have System lists which feature the words that appear most frequently on High School, College and English Proficiency exams.Custom Word Lists – Teachers/Parents can create their own word lists based on current reading assignments or any other source. Or use one of the hundreds of public word lists created by other Teachers/Parents. -
Can I work in both a System Word List and a Custom Word List?
Yes. Students can work in any word list at any time and switch between word lists. Verbocity tracks each student’s progress and adjusts future lessons and quizzes based on the words they have studied and learned from any word list.
Sentence Contest Questions
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Who chooses the sentences for the sentence contest?
Mr. Verbocity. I review the sentences submitted by students and select those of noteworthy style, clarity, cleverness or wit for inclusion in the sentence contest. -
Do you have to be a Verbocity Student/Teacher/Parent to vote?
No. Anyone can vote. There is a limit of three votes per computer. -
If I win a contest when will I receive my prize?
You will be notified by email within 48 hours and the prize will be mailed within 3 - 4 days.