Detecting Meanings…. Context Clues

What are context clues? Context clues are the clues that can be used to identify unknown words. These clues can usually be found close to the unknown word. Look in the sentence before the unknown word, the sentence the unknown word is in, and the sentence after the unknown word to find clues.

Five Types of Context Clues 1. Definition/Explanation Clues 2. Restatement/Synonym Clues 3. Contrast/Antonym Clues 4. Inference/General Context Clues 5. Punctuation

1. Definition/Explanation Clues Sometimes a word’s or phrase’s meaning is explained immediately after its use. Example: Helen of Troy was famous for her pulchritude, or beauty, because it is said that her face “launched a thousand ships” and was responsible for the Trojan War.

2. Restatement/Synonym Clues Sometimes a hard word or phrase is said in a simple way. Example: Sue took a clandestine look at the note on the teacher’s desk. She really didn’t want the teacher to see her looking at it. Because the sentence says that Sue did want the teacher to see her looking at the note, clandestine must mean hidden, secret, or sneaky.

3. Contrast/Antonym Clues Sometimes a word of phrase is clarified by the presentation of the opposite meaning somewhere close to its use. Look for signal words when applying context clues. Example: John is a voracious reader, but he shared with us that he did not read at all last summer. The signal word but tells the reader that an opposite thought is going to be stated.

4. Inference/General Context Clues Sometimes a word or phrase is not immediately clarified within the same sentence. Relationships, which are not directly apparent, are inferred or implied. The reader must look for clues within, before, and after the sentence in which the word is used. Example: She approached the audition with the nonchalance of an experienced actress. She acted very comfortable and casual the entire time she was on the stage.

5. Punctuation Readers can also use clues of punctuation and type style to infer meaning, such as quotation marks (showing the word has a special meaning), dashes, parentheses, or brackets (enclosing a definition), italics (showing the word will be defined), or a comma before defining the word. Examples: Mary seemed very nonchalant, or unconcerned, about the upcoming test. Mary was nonchalant (unconcerned) throughout the interview. Steve’s mother was nonchalant– or unconcerned- during the conference with the teachers.

Social Brave Doubting Believed Although she was skeptical about our plan at first, she finally believed it would be a good idea. Social Brave Doubting Believed

Conflict Bravery Theft Murder An act of larceny, such as stealing a car, can cause you to spend a lot of time in jail. Conflict Bravery Theft Murder

Grace was gregarious, while Andrew liked to be alone. Sociable Alone Silent Solitary

The king wore a diadem, a crown with many jewels, upon his head. Sweater Crown Halo Hat

alive expired unusual rotten We could tell by the putrid smell that something rotten was in our trash can. alive expired unusual rotten

claw feathers grasp vision I watched as the eagle swooped down and grabbed the prey with his talon. claw feathers grasp vision

accurate intact adventurous useless The lead dog was so incompetent that he had to be replaced by one that was more useful to the pack. accurate intact adventurous useless

hotel account umbrella happening Since it was raining outside, I used my bumbershoot to keep from getting wet. hotel account umbrella happening