Core vocabulary in written personal narratives of school-age children

Abstract

This study aimed to describe core words of written personal narratives to inform the implementation of AAC supports for literacy instruction. Investigators analyzed lexical diversity, frequency of specific word use and types of words that made up 70% of the total words used in 211 written narrative samples from children in first grade (n = 94) and fourth grade (n = 117). Across grades, 191 different words made up 70% of the total words used in the 211 written narrative samples. The top 50 words were comprised of content words (64%) and function words (36%). Grade differences were noted in diversity and types of words, including differences in the number of words comprising the core (132 words for children in first grade and 207 for fourth grade) and a higher proportion of abstract nouns for children in fourth grade based on the 200 most frequently occurring words for each grade.

Keywords:

• Core vocabulary
• written narratives
• school age
• abstract nouns

Acknowledgements

The authors extend gratitude to the Learning Disabilities Center at Florida State University for allowing us to collaborate on the written narrative sample analyses and families for their participation. The project would not have been possible without the support of families who took time to participate in the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.