Oxford Rhyming Dictionary Reference Book Analysis

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Oxford Rhyming DictionaryReference Book Analysis

• LIBR 150
• Winter 2002
• N. Mathieson

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Bibliographic Citation

• Upton, Clive. Oxford rhyming dictionary / Clive
  Upton, Eben Upton.
• -- Oxford, UK New York Oxford University
  Press, 2004.
• Call number R 423.1 UPTON
• as cataloged by the Puyallup Public Library

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OPAC Display
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Contents

• Preface
• Introducing rhymes
• and a bit of theory
• Who needs rhymes?
• Finding rhymes how to use this dictionary
• Oxford Rhyming Dictionary
• Index

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Arrangement

• The rhyming words in the Dictionary are arranged
  in sequentially numbered sections.
• The user is directed to the correct numbered
  section by first locating the word he wants to
  rhyme in the Index.

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Indexing

• Access rhyming words by first locating the word
  you want to rhyme in the alphabetical index.
• You are directed to a sequential numbered section
  in the dictionary.
• Index entry example reference 34.24.10(.16)
• Guide numbers are located on the dictionary
  pages.
• Locate reference in the numbered list. The words
  listed just before and after your word, in this
  example for reference, are the closest rhymes.

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Scope Currency

• The Oxford Rhyming Dictionary is a unique tool
  for searching for rhymes. Based on a detailed
  analysis of pronunciation rather than spelling,
  it groups the strongest rhymes together but also
  allows the reader to browse among the surrounding
  sections to find other words that rhyme less
  strongly. Contains over 85,000 words and
  includes proper nouns.
• Currency doesnt seem to be an issue with a
  rhyming dictionary.

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Purposes of the Rhyming Dictionary

• Besides the obvious users of lyricists, poets,
  and advertising professionals, access to a
  rhyming dictionary would be useful for any
  writer, student, or teacher.

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Physical Format

• Book format
• 659 pages
• Alphabet thumb index on the Index page edges

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Special Features

• The Preface gives a brief and scholarly
  introduction to rhymes and the theory of rhymes
  in the English language.
• Explains that the rhymes are based on the Oxford
  Dictionary of Pronunciation for Current English.
• In some instances a word may have two
  pronunciations that are correct, and both will be
  included.
• poor pronounced so that it rhymes with bore
• poor pronounced so that it rhymes with lure

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Credentials Reviews

• Clive Upton is Senior Lecturer in English
  Language at the University of Leeds. He is a
  co-author of the Oxford Dictionary of
  Pronunciation.
• Eben Upton is a researcher at the University of
  Cambridges Computer Laboratory.
• A good purchase for large libraries, especially
  those catering to the literary crowd, creative
  writing students, and academics. from the
  Library Journal. Oct 15, 2004

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Personal Impression

• The Oxford Rhyming Dictionary appears to be a
  very useful tool for writers.
• Dont overlook the instructions in the how to
  part of the Preface, about finding your word in
  the list of rhyming words, to find the words that
  would be its closest rhymes.
• Have a dictionary accessible so you can look up
  any words you dont recognize.

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Reference Uses

• What rhymes with reference?
• The words just before and after the word
  reference in the list to which we were referred
  are the closest rhymes
• fragrance, ignorance, difference, efference,
  deference, reference, preference, sufferance,
  inference, conference, transference,
  indifference, vociferance,

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Internet Search

• Search rhyming dictionary on google.com
• One of results will be http//www.rhymer.com/
• rhymer.com gives a limited sample of one and two
  syllable rhymes and with full access
  (subscription?) allows the user to select the
  type of rhyme they want. Site gives a quick
  explanation of the choices.
• End rhymes, Last syllable rhymes, Double rhymes,
  Beginning rhymes, First syllable rhymes