Context Clues

Context clues are pieces of information from a text that allow you to decide the meaning of new words in a text. As a reader, you must act like a detective and put together clues from the words and sentences around a new word to make an educated guess about the meaning of the new word. What Are Context Clues?

Using context clues will help you learn how to define words without having to spend time looking in a dictionary. They will also help you practice using context to define terms, thus resulting in better comprehension of what you read. Textbook writers and authors include context clues to help their readers understand the meaning of a new or difficult word. Always use the context clues to determine or make logical guesses about the meanings of many new or difficult words. How Do Context Clues Help You?

1.Definition/Description 2.Series/Example 3.Cause and Effect 4.Synonym 5.Antonym 6.Tone/Setting Types of Context Clues

To learn each of the six types of context clues, each student is going to make a “foldable”. Watch and follow along Color your outside flaps for homework Context Clues Foldable

When you find a word or phrase you do not know in your reading, go through the following steps to determine the meaning of the word. Step 1: Check for synonyms or definitions in the same sentence. If you find a synonym or definition, reread the sentence with the new term, keeping the synonym or definition in mind or sub Step 2: Check for an antonym clue. If you find an antonym clue, think about its opposite meaning. Then reread the sentence and rephrase it using the opposite meaning in place of the original word. Step 3: Check for a synonym clue. Reread the sentence and substitute the synonym in the sentence. Using Context Clues Step-by-Step

Step 4: If there are other words in the series, check to see if the other words in the series help make the unknown word more clear. Step 5: Read on and check for clues in the tone or setting or cause and effect. Try substituting words and check if it make sense in the context of the rest of the paragraph, try again. Step 6: If the word in the sentence still does not make sense to you and you do not understand the main point the author is making in the paragraph after investigating for context clues, check a dictionary. Using Context Clues Step-by-Step

Types of Context Clues Quiz What are the six types of context clues? 1._____________ 2._____________ 3._____________ 4._____________ 5._____________

Types of Context Clues Quiz What are the six types of context clues? 1. Definition/Description 2. Synonym 3. Antonym 4.Items in a Series 5.Tone and Setting 6.Cause and Effect

QUIZ Read the sentence and tell the meaning of the underlined word: 1. It was so gliff outside, I had to wear two sweaters and a jacket! “Gliff” most likely means: A.Warm B.cold C.bright D.dark

QUIZ Read the sentence and tell the meaning of the underlined word: 1. It was so gliff outside, I had to wear two sweaters and a jacket! “Gliff” most likely means: A.Warm B.cold C.bright D.Dark * gliff is an invented word. Please don’t use it.

QUIZ Q: What does ambiguous mean? Q: What type of context clue did you use to figure it out? 2.The professor said that the ideas in my paper were too ambiguous, that is, vague or too general.

QUIZ Q: What does ambiguous mean? A: vague or too general Q: What type of context clue did you use to figure it out? A: definition context clue 2.The professor said that the ideas in my paper were too ambiguous, that is, vague or too general.

QUIZ Q: What does the extinct mean? Q: What type of context clue did you use to figure it out? 3. Many species went extinct for unknown reasons. For example, dinosaurs are no longer found on earth.

QUIZ Q: What does the extinct mean? A: no longer alive Q: What type of context clue did you use to figure it out? A: cause and effect context clue 3. Many species went extinct for unknown reasons. For example, dinosaurs are no longer found on earth.

QUIZ Q: What does the italicized word mean? Q: What type of context clue did you use? 4. In the earthquake, many victims were killed or injured and many children became orphaned.

QUIZ Q: What does the italicized word mean? A: a young person whose parents are dead Q: What type of context clue did you use? A: tone and setting context clue 4. In the earthquake, many victims were killed or injured and many children became orphaned.

QUIZ Q: What does the italicized word mean? Q: What type of context clue did you use? 5. In contrast to Mary’s joyfulness, John’s despondency really worries his parents.

QUIZ Q: What does the italicized word mean? A: state of feeling sad and hopeless Q: What type of context clue did you use? A: antonym context clue 5. In contrast to Mary’s joyfulness, John’s despondency really worries his parents.

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