1. Using clues to help build our vocabulary!
Context Clues
Using clues to help build our vocabulary!

2. Where Can We Look for Context Clues in texts?
1. Directly after the word in the same sentence. “It is difficult to forgive someone who has hurt you, even if that person is penitent and expresses regret for their decisions.”

3. Where Can We Look for Context Clues in texts?
2. The next sentence. “Miss Annie reproached Johnny for the missing chocolate chip cookies, even though Johnny is allergic to chocolate. Later, she realized she was wrong and shouldn’t have yelled at him.”

4. Where Can We Look for Context Clues in texts?
3. The sentence before. “Maintaining happiness is sometimes hard. It is difficult to sustain a smile when your whole world is falling apart.”

5. Types of Context Clues
Synonyms/Comparisons “When Gollum went after Frodo for the ring, he fell into the inferno, or fiery pit.”

6. Types of Context Clues
Antonyms/Contrasts “Verity wanted to believe her boyfriend, but she was incredulous because he lied often.”

7. Types of Context Clues
Examples “Suzie’s mother taught her to never let anyone degrade her, so now she demands respect in all of her relationships.”

8. Types of Context Clues
Definition “All Jenna talked about was hair, makeup, and boys. I’m a smart girl and don’t focus silly, frivolous things like that.”

9. Taking Notes
In your language arts notebook, make a heading for CONTEXT CLUES with today’s date, and answer these questions:
Where in texts can we look for context clues? List all possible places. (Hint: 3)
What are the different types of context clues? (Hint: 4)
Look through any reading books you have at home, and try to find words you are (or were) unfamiliar with. Has the author provided context clues for the unknown word within the sentence? Before? After? What type of context clue is it? Copy down your examples.