1. Determining Meaning through Context

2. Context Context clues can help a reader determine the meaning of a word. – Words surrounding the unfamiliar word can help the reader make an educated guess. Mary chose to douse the flames by pouring water on the burning bush. The reader can assume that douse has something to do with putting out a fire with water.

3. Vocabulary and context When a definition of an unknown word is not provided, readers should ask themselves a couple of questions: Is this word good or bad? (connotation) What part of speech is being used? Are any examples given? How is the word being used?

4. Vocabulary and context Does the word have a positive or negative feeling? – It can turn you in the right direction. Sunday meals were always appetizing because Mother is a professional cook. a)undercooked b)delicious c)revolting

5. Vocabulary and context Ask questions about: connotation, usage, relationship to other words Professional cooks would probably not make food that was revolting. Professional cooks would not make food that was raw. B) delicious is the best answer.

6. Vocabulary and context In the text, look for the following to signal clues about the meaning of an unfamiliar word: – Antonyms and Synonyms – Signal words : but, means, in other words, or – Punctuation – clues will be set off by commas, parentheses or quotation marks