1. Context Clues Figuring Out What a Word Means… WITHOUT A DICTIONARY!

2. What are context clues? Hints that an author or text give to help define a difficult or unusual word.

3. Where are context clues located? The clue may appear within the same sentence as the word or it may be in a sentence before or after.

4. What are the different types of context clues? Synonym Antonym Explanation Example

5. Synonym? A synonym, or word with the same meaning, is used in the sentence. Example: My opponent’s argument is fallacious, misleading - plain wrong. What synonyms are given for fallacious?

6. Antonym A word, or group of words that has the opposite meaning reveals the definition of the unknown word. Example: Although some men are loquacious, others hardly talk at all. What does loquacious mean?

7. Explanation The unknown word is explained within the sentence or in the sentence immediately before it. Example: The patient is so somnolent that she requires medication to help her stay awake for just a short time.

8. Example Specific examples are used to define the term. Example: Celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars are studied by astronomers.