Summing up Visual Thesaurus
 What is The Visual Thesaurus?
The Visual Thesaurus is software that allows a diagrammatic visualization of the relationships between synonyms. When the user enters a word, all the synonyms are displayed in a hub-and-spoke diagram around the original word.
Who would use The Visual Thesaurus?
Writers, and business people that need to do a lot of writing.
What does The Visual Thesaurus Do?
The Visual Thesaurus is a different way of understanding and displaying the relationships between words and their synonyms. When the user picks a certain word, that word is surrounded with a hub and spoke diagram of groups of words that fit its various definitions.
For example, the word “camp” could be a place that you pitch a tent, or it could be describing something as cheesy, or describing a group of people holding the same opinion. So the display shows one branch that splits off into the words “pack,” “clique,” “inner circle,” and another branch that splits off into the words “lodging,” “housing,” “living accommodations.”
The program boasts 145,000 English words and 115,000 meanings. It also provides pronunciations, and parts of speech. Use an online subscription model, or choose the option to download to your computer for access anytime.
The Features and Benefits of The Visual Thesaurus
With both versions of the Visual Thesaurus, you can:
- Find the right word. The VT has over 145,000 English words and 115,000 meanings. Find the word you need and discover related meanings.
- Develop a better vocabulary. See how words are used in different parts of speech.
- Use words precisely. The intuitive interface helps you find words through their semantic relationship with other words and meanings.
- Master word usage. Roll over a meaning to see its definition and example sentences that express that meaning.
- Improve your grammar. Meanings are color-coded to indicate parts of speech.
- Explore 39,000 proper nouns. Historical figures, phrases and trademarks are included. Look up Mozart, Manda or simply, "M."
- Check your spelling. The VT suggests a word if you spell it wrong.
- Hear words pronounced correctly. The VT offers both American and British pronunciations (Internet connection necessary)
- Personalize your experience. Use the Settings Panel to control font size, filter content, display up to 17 semantic relationships and more.
- Browse language in 2D or 3D. Rotate word maps in three dimensions to reveal complex relationships.
- Connect to the Internet. Right-click on any word to launch an Internet search for images or information.
With the Online Edition you can also:
- Access the VT from anywhere. No software to install, access from virtually any computer with an Internet connection.
- Email word maps to friends. Share your favorite words with friends and family.
- Explore five additional languages. Search for words in Spanish, German, Italian French and Dutch, as well as English. (International features are still in beta)
- Unlimited access to online magazine. Read features about language and the creative process and join a community passionate about words, language and creativity.
The Pros of the Visual Thesaurus
The program is fun! But beyond the fun, visual learners will find this a stimulating way to improve their vocabulary or grammar, or to choose the most precise word. With this system, you can truly take a journey through the connectedness of words.
The Cons of The Visual Thesaurus
The downside of The Visual Thesaurus is that you will be paying for what you may find to be little more than a gimmick. The novelty may wear off after you’ve played with it a little while. If you are truly interested in learning more about words, you can pick up a solid thesaurus in paperback for substantially less than this service, or use sites like http://thesaurus.reference.com for free information.
The Visual Thesaurus Pricing
Fortunately for all the concerns about the novelty wearing off, The Visual Thesaurus provides a 14-day free trial.
Be aware however that this is a RISK-FREE trial, meaning you do have to pay, but within 2 weeks you can get your money back no questions asked. There is a totally free trial version available on their website, but you only have a limited number of searches allotted.
There are several ways to purchase. You can subscribe monthly for $2.95 a month, or you can subscribe for a year at once for $19.95 (44% less than monthly). You can add additional users for $10 a month.
Also, you may purchase a physical disk version for $39.95. This is a single-user license, but you may buy multiple licenses.
Volume-based discounts apply, priced at $26.50 for 5-9 licenses, $24.00 for 10-99 licenses, and you’ll need to contact the developer for pricing above 100 users. If you buy the physical version you will pay shipping and handling unless you buy two or more copies.
The Visual Thesaurus Guarantee
Visual Thesaurus offers a 14-day no questions asked money back guarantee on their online products.
Similar Products to The Visual Thesaurus
Any Thesaurus, particularly the one at Reference.com
Visuwords, an open source website that refers to itself as a graphical dictionary
Ideas for Using The Visual Thesaurus:
Poets and other authors can use the software to make sure they really grasp the concept behind a word. Lovers of language can just hop on and play, exploring from word to word the way one gets lost in Wikipedia articles. Students can use this system to improve their grasp of grammar.
Get Visual Thesaurus Here
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