Context Clues
Types of Context Clues
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Definition
Synonym
Antonym
Examples |
Explanation
Experience
Knowledge of Subject
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Learning new words when reading
The first way to figure out the meaning of a word is from its context. The
context is the other words and sentences that are around the new word. When you
figure out the meaning of a word from context, you are making a guess about what
the word means. To do this, you use the hints and clues of the other words and
sentences. You won't always be right, but many times you will be. You might not
be able to guess the exact meaning of a word, but you may be close enough to get
the meaning of the sentence it is in. A basic strategy for unlocking the meaning
of an unfamiliar word is to search the context of the sentence in which a new
word appears for clues. Sometimes this can be easy to do because the author may
have provided a definition or a synonym right there next to or near a term that
you can use to unlock its meaning. A definition is a statement giving the
meaning of a word. A synonym is a word that means almost the same as another.
For example, read the following sentence: "Don't think of words as separate,
discrete items, or entities." What is the meaning of the word entities? The
definition is right there - separate, discrete items. But what is the meaning of
discrete? The meaning of that word is right there too--separate.
When in doubt about the meaning of an unfamiliar word, look around in the
sentence; check to see if there is a definition or synonym clue to help you
unlock meaning.
Another kind of context clue (in addition to definitions and synonyms embedded
in sentences) is a word or words of opposite meaning (antonym) set somewhere
near a word that is unfamiliar. If you find a word or words of opposite meaning
and you recognize it or them, you are "home free." You can unlock the meaning of
the unfamiliar word.
For example, read the following sentence: "I was not exactly enamored of the
travel plans my agent made for me; my lack of enthusiasm was triggered by the
eight-hour layover required between flights." What is the meaning of the word
enamored? You can use the context of the sentence to reason in this way:
Enamored of means just the opposite of lacking in enthusiasm for.
Strategy
Step 1: Check for synonyms or definitions embedded right there. If you find a
synonym or definition, reread the sentence with the new term keeping that
synonym or definition in mind.
Step 2: Check for an antonym clue. If you find
one, think about its meaning, actually telling yourself the opposite meaning.
Then reread the sentence and rephrase it in your own mind.
Context Clues: Substitution
At times, rereading a sentence that contains an unfamiliar term and substituting
a word or phrase for it that makes sense can help you to unlock the meaning of
the unfamiliar word. To understand the substitution strategy, read the following
sentence:
"When we stayed at the military base, each Saturday we went to the commissary to
buy the food and supplies we would need for the next week."
Although you may never have visited a commissary, given the use of the word in
this sentence, you immediately can substitute the word store for the word
commissary. You probably can wrestle an even more complete meaning for
commissary from the overall context of the sentence: a store for food and
supplies that is located on a military base.
Steps in the substitution strategy are as follows:
Step 1: When you read a sentence that you have trouble understanding because of
an unfamiliar word in it, reread the sentence and substitute a word that seems
to make sense in the context.
Step 2: Read on. If the word you substituted does not make sense in the context
of the rest of the paragraph, try again.
Step 3: If the sentence still does not make sense to you and you do not
understand the main point the author is making in the paragraph, look for
synonym, definition, and antonym clues. If you are still uncertain, check a
dictionary.
Context Clues: Multiple Meanings
As you have learned, a basic strategy for unlocking the meaning of an unfamiliar
word is to search the context of the sentence in which a new word appears for
clues. This is especially important when a word has multiple meanings that you
already know and you must decide the particular one that applies. Try using the
following strategy:
Step 1: Check the context for clues: definitions and synonyms given "right
there" as well as words of opposite meaning - antonyms.
Step 2: Substitute each meaning you know in the context of the sentence until
you find one that makes good sense there. (Hennings, p. 48)
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