Developing Vocabulary for College Thinking is a structured approach to learning vocabulary that considers the importance of many different types of interactions with words.

Based on current research in the field of vocabulary, this text teaches new words embedded in the context of reading activities. The book employs all three common approaches to learning vocabulary — dictionary work, context, and word elements — in order to give students an array of strategies to acquire vocabulary skills. The text also encourages students to bring their prior knowledge to the task of vocabulary acquisition and development and offers a variety of generative vocabulary strategies that students will be able to apply on their own in their other college courses.

The book is divided into two main parts. Part One offers separate chapters on common strategies for vocabulary development. Part Two offers a series of readings for students to apply the new strategies acquired in Part One.