Context Clues (Context means to figure out meaning by looking for words around it.) 2011 Checklist to help you find them.

Expectation 1. Let the rest of the sentence or paragraph tell you what kind of word to expect. 1. Let the rest of the sentence or paragraph tell you what kind of word to expect. A. Is the mood scary or loving or calm or sad? A. Is the mood scary or loving or calm or sad? B. What is the main idea of the sentence? B. What is the main idea of the sentence? EX: When Tom was a baby, he was easily frightened by loud noises. Many times, Mom assuaged Toms fears by singing him a lullaby. EX: When Tom was a baby, he was easily frightened by loud noises. Many times, Mom assuaged Toms fears by singing him a lullaby. Assuaged means______________ Assuaged means______________

Example 2. Look for examples that tell about the meaning of the word. Clue words are: Include, for example, another type. * Look for semicolons and a comma. Look for lists or patterns of things that are in common. Look for lists or patterns of things that are in common. EX: Amphibians include frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders. EX: Amphibians include frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders.

Analogies/Comparisons Look for comparisons to something the author thinks you might already know. Look for comparisons to something the author thinks you might already know. Look for a commas. Look for a commas. Look for similes and metaphors and other figurative language. Look for similes and metaphors and other figurative language. EX: You should see what its like at dinner at my house. Its a real circus. My twin brothers throw food, the dog is barking, then the baby starts crying. EX: You should see what its like at dinner at my house. Its a real circus. My twin brothers throw food, the dog is barking, then the baby starts crying.

Synonyms & Restatement Look in the selection for other words with similar meaning or sometimes the author will write a sentence or phrase to illustrate it. Look in the selection for other words with similar meaning or sometimes the author will write a sentence or phrase to illustrate it. Look for clue words and punctuation like commas. Look for clue words and punctuation like commas.

Antonyms Look for clues to the words opposite meaning. Look for clues to the words opposite meaning. Clue words: despite, however, but, unlike, although, while, on the other hand. Clue words: despite, however, but, unlike, although, while, on the other hand. EX: Despite Ericas serious tone, I found her story about trolls playing frisbee on her lawn to be quite hilarious. EX: Despite Ericas serious tone, I found her story about trolls playing frisbee on her lawn to be quite hilarious. Circle the word in the sentence that means the opposite of hilarious Circle the word in the sentence that means the opposite of hilarious Hilarious means funny Hilarious means funny

Additional help 1. Plug in each answer choice in place of the unknown word. EX: The knights were indignant. What could this mere child know about slaying dragons and saving kingdoms? How dare this unworthy youngster challenge the best of them to a joust! EX: The knights were indignant. What could this mere child know about slaying dragons and saving kingdoms? How dare this unworthy youngster challenge the best of them to a joust! Plug in each answer choice What does the word indignant mean in this selection? What does the word indignant mean in this selection? joyous joyous saddened saddened insulted insulted frightened frightened

More help 2. Dont be fooled by homographs (multiple-meaning words). Homographs are words that can have different meanings in different situations. Homographs are words that can have different meanings in different situations. EX: Swoosh! The ball dropped straight through the hoop – no backboard, no rim, nothing but net. EX: Swoosh! The ball dropped straight through the hoop – no backboard, no rim, nothing but net. In the example above hoop means A. a plastic toy that a person rotates around the hips A. a plastic toy that a person rotates around the hips B. a metal band used to hold together the boards in a barrel B. a metal band used to hold together the boards in a barrel C. a metal ring through which a ball is thrown to score points in a basketball game C. a metal ring through which a ball is thrown to score points in a basketball game D. one of two rings used to hold a piece of fabric in place, as in embroidery D. one of two rings used to hold a piece of fabric in place, as in embroidery

Action! Look at the action of the characters and the development of the plot to help you. Look at the action of the characters and the development of the plot to help you. –What are the characters thinking, saying or doing? –What is the plot of the story? –Jordan was so viean. He had never heard of of the #1 cartoon Sponge Bob. So, we watched it all day on Saturday.

FINALLY! Context Clues are NOT just words… Context Clues are NOT just words… Punctuation, authors tone & the topic and the mood of the story can all help you figure out the meaning of the unknown word. Punctuation, authors tone & the topic and the mood of the story can all help you figure out the meaning of the unknown word. Put the pieces of the puzzle together to find the meaing of the kunnwno word. Put the pieces of the puzzle together to find the meaing of the kunnwno word.