© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Chapter 2: Using Context Clues and Word Parts Active Reading Skills, 1/e Kathleen McWhorter PowerPoints by Gretchen Starks-Martin

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman What is Context?  The words around the word you want to learn provide context clues to define the word’s meaning.  Example: During the lecture, the ornithologist described his research on western spotted owls as well as many other species of birds.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Types of Context Clues 1.Definition Clues 2.Synonym Clues 3.Example Clues 4.Contrast Clues 5.Inference Clues

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Definition Clues A writer defines a word immediately following its use. Words and phrases are used such as: means, is, refers to, and can be defined. Example: A prosthesis is an artificial replacement for a missing body part, such as an eye, a limb, or a heart valve.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Definition Clues Punctuation often signals a clue. Commas, parentheses, and dashes are often used. Example: Glen was especially interested in nephology, a branch of meteorology that deals with clouds. Example: Middle age (35-65 years) is a time for strengthening and maintaining life’s goals. Example: Many societies are patriarchal— males exert dominant power and authority.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Synonym Clues  A writer provides a word or brief phrase that is close in meaning.  The synonym may appear in the same sentence or in a later sentence.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Examples of Synonym Clues  The author purposely left the ending of his novel ambiguous, or unclear, so readers would have to decide for themselves what happened.  After the soccer match, a melee broke out in the parking lot. Three people were injured in the brawl, and several others were arrested.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Example Clues  A writer often includes examples that help to explain or clarify a word.  They use words and phrases such as: to illustrate, for instance, for example, such as, and including.  Example: Microscopic pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, constantly threaten our health as we go about our daily lives.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Contrast Clues  It is sometimes possible to determine the meaning of an unknown word from a word or phrase that has an opposite meaning.  Example: At the wedding reception, the parents of the bride seemed to welcome all the attention whereas the groom’s parents eschewed it by staying at their table.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Inference Clues  Many times you can figure out the meaning of an unknown word by using logic and reasoning skills.  Example: Langston Hughes was a protean writer; although he is known mainly for his poetry, he also wrote plays, novels, short stories, children’s books, songs, and essays.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman What Are Word Parts?  Prefixes – beginning of a word  Suffixes – end of a word  Roots – middle of a word and contains a word’s basic meaning.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Example of Word Parts  The parents thought their child was unteachable.  (Prefix) un = not  (Root) teach = help someone learn  (Suffix) able = able to do something  Unteachable = not able to be taught

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Prefixes - Beginnings of Words  Prefixes + Root = New Word  dis + respect = disrespect  Meaning: not + respect = lack of respect See Table 2-1 for Common Prefixes

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Roots – Core Meaning of Words  Root dic/dict means “tell or say.”  Dictate = to speak for someone to write down  Dictionary = a book that “tells” what words mean See Table 2-2 for Common Roots

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Roots When you see a word you don’t know: 1.Look for the root first. 2.Keep in mind that the spelling of a root may change a bit if it is combined with a suffix.

© 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Suffixes – Word Endings  Root + Suffix = New Word  class + ify = classify (verb)  class + ic + classic (adjective)  class + ification = classification (noun) See Table 2-3 for Common Suffixes

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