Internet Academy Resources
Using Context Clues What is a context clue?
The context of a word is its environment, or the words that surround it. Context clues are made up of synonyms, definitions, descriptions, and several other kinds of specific information helpful to understanding the meaning of a passage or a particular word.
How will using context clues help me in my reading?
As you advance in your reading, you will encounter more new or difficult words and concepts. This strategy will you help improve word-attack skills and strengthen your overall reading ability. It will help you figure out the meaning of words by using the clues right there in the reading selection. In addition, context clues will help you strengthen the meaning of words you already know. They can help explain how something works, where or when an event takes place, what the purpose or significance of an action is, and more and more.
SIX Types of Context Clues:
- Clues supplied through synonyms:
Carol is fond of using TRITE, worn-out expressions in her writing. Her favorite is "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." (The synonym for TRITE is worn-out. The expression about the horse and water is worn-out or trite.)- Clues contained in comparisons and contrasts:
As the trial continued, the defendant's guilt became more and more obvious. With even the slightest bit of new evidence against him, there would be no chance of ACQUITTAL. (The defendant's guilt is the comparison to acquittal - and it's obvious this defendant is guilty, so acquittal must mean something he isn't going to get; a non-guilty verdict.)- Clues contained in a definition or description:
Peggy is a TRANSCRIPTIONIST, a person who makes a written copy of a recorded message. (The definition or description of a transcriptionist is right there in the sentence; "a person who makes a written copy of a recorded message.")- Clues that appear in a series:
The DULCIMER, fiddle, and banjo are all popular among the Appalachian Mountain people. (Fiddle and banjo are instruments with strings, so the dulcimer must be a stringed instrument also.)- Clues provided by the tone and setting:
The streets filled instantly with BELLICOSE protesters who pushed and shoved their way through the frantic bystanders. The scene was no longer peaceful and calm as the marchers had promised it would be. (Words like "pushed and shoved," indicates something about the protesters. "Frantic bystanders" indicates the impact of the bellicose protesters are causing, and the setting is no longer peaceful and calm. A bellicose person must be loud, obnoxious, pushy and rude.)- Clues derived from cause and effect:
Since nobody came to the first voluntary work session, attendance for the second one is MANDATORY for all the members. (Voluntary is a key word in this sentence - and since nobody came voluntarily, action seems to be necessary, making the second session a requirement or mandatory.)TRY IT OUT!
Check out the BOLD words in the passage below from Jack London's Call of the Wild. Look for direct and indirect clues to help you understand the meaning of those words. See how your efficiency improves now that you understand more about context clues. (A reader of the entire novel would also have the advantage of knowing what came before this passage, which would also provide a deeper context for understanding the words.)
They made Sixty Miles, which is a fifty-mile run, on the first day; and the second day saw them booming up the Yukon well on their way to Pelly. But such splendid running was achieved not without great trouble and vexation on the part of Francois. The insidious revolt led by Buck had destroyed the solidarity of the team. It no longer was as one dog leaping in the traces. The encouragement Buck gave the rebels led them into all kinds of petty misdemeanors. No more was Spitz a leader greatly to be feared. The old awe departed, and they grew equal to challenging his authority. Pike robbed him of half a fish one night and gulped it down under the protection of Buck. Another night Dub and Joe fought Spitz and made him forego the punishment they deserved. And even Billee, the good-natured, was less good-natured, and whined not half so placatingly as in former days. Buck never came near Spitz without snarling and bristling menacingly. In fact, his conduct approached that of a bully, and he was given to swaggering up and down before Spitz's very nose. TO PRACTICE USING CONTEXT CLUES you might want to try the following:
- Start with the spelling / vocabulary words for the lesson for this week. The spelling words for each lesson are within a paragraph. See if you can use context clues to determine basic meaning of your vocabulary words.
- Work with these skills in the comprehension story you read also.
- Discuss with your teacher the impact of practicing these skills. Are you aware of ways to figure out meaning of words by using the context of the passage? What are some words you came across in your reading this week where context clues were helpful?
