What are Context Clues?Bits of information from the text that, when combined with prior knowledge, allow you to decide the meaning of unknown words in the story or article you are reading.

You must act like a detective and put together clues from sentences surrounding an unknown word in order to make an intelligent “guess” as to what the definition of a word is.

How do Context Clues help? Textbook writers and authors often include words or

phrases to help readers understand the meaning of a new or difficult words.

These words or phrases (Context Clues) are built into the sentences around the new or difficult word.

By becoming more aware of the words around a difficult word, readers can make logical guesses about the meanings of many words.

Get Your detective tools ready!

Try to be a detective and follow the clues!

Context Clues Practice

Dear Diary,

I overslept this morning. I had to eat my bowl of poof-poofs very quickly, and I almost missed the tramzam. When I got to school, I realized I had forgotten my zilping. Luckily, Ms. Jutzi is very zoosh, and told me I could bring it tomorrow.

After school, some friends and I played plimming. It’s a new game I am learning. We scored seven points and they only scored five points, so we were the zoiters!

Dad says that next weekend we’re going to the fladder. I can’t wait! I love to swim and play in the sand. I hope I don’t get a sunburn though.

Well, I better go to bed soon. I don’t want to wake up late again and miss my tramzam!

Until tomorrow,Ryan

Your friend Ryan has moved to a new country and is learning a new language. Read what he wrote in his diary and see if you can figure out the meaning to the underlined words.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

The AND Clue Sometimes a synonym of the word

might be right there separated by the word AND

Examples: She hated and detested spinach. The Sonoran Desert is arid and barren. Susan enjoyed the communion and fellowship of

her family at Thanksgiving.

It was an idyllic day; sunny, warm and perfect for a walk in the park.

perfect, wonderful, blissful

The EXAMPLE ClueHere no direct meaning of the word is given, but the meaning is evident in other words.Look for lists or chains, a series of commas Signal words: like, such as, also, for example

The professor was known for his many publications such as pamphlets and newspaper articles

Government expenditures, like welfare payments and social security come from taxes.

Characteristics such as eye and skin color are inherited from our parents.

A sleuth, such as Sherlock Holmes, can be very helpful in solving crimes.

detective

The COMMA clueSometimes a comma will separate the word from its definition.

The pesticide, known as DDT, was a harmful chemical that killed both insects and weeds.

The Roman triumvirate, a governing body of three men, made decisions carefully.

Constellations, groups of stars that form a pattern, can be seen in the sky.

There are many species, or kinds of fish in the ocean.

Mary retained, kept, the deed to her mother's house.

kept

The OPPOSITE ClueSometimes the text will have the opposite of the word.

Signal words: but, although, in contrast to/with, neither/nor, on the other hand, despite, however, nevertheless, unless

Examples: When Mike bought the motorcycle, he was ecstatic; his parents,

however, were furious. The trees were visible through the rain, but the mountains were

obscured. Ducks can be ferocious, despite their reputation as gentle

creatures.

My sister loathes cauliflower, but she loves string beans.

Dislike / hate ( intensely)

The PUNCTUATION FLAG Clue

Sometimes you may see punctuation marks that signal the meaning of a word.

Signals: parenthesis, dash, slash

Examples:

Tilling (turning over the soil) leaves it loose until the spring planting.

Sally Ride used a shuttle – a spaceship with wings – to go into space.

Many places experience blizzards/snowstorms during the winter.

Children are often loquacious—very talkative—and active.

talkative—and active.

The DEFINITION ClueSometimes the text tells you outright what the word means.

Signal Words: means, refers to

Examples:

Inherit means to receive from your parents.

Thermal energy means the energy that moves the particles in matter.

Global warming refers to the increase in the average temperature of Earth’s near-surface.

An acolyte is an altar boy who helps in the religious service

helper

The READ MORE ClueSometimes reading ahead will give you more information about the word. Circle the word and continue reading.

Example:

The newspaper quoted the Governor as saying that employers should not indiscriminately fire employees. The termination of employees without rhyme or reason is a bad practice.

The MOOD/TONE Clue

What is the author’s/narrator’s tone or attitude?How does the text make you as a reader feel?What descriptive words does the author use to paint a verbal picture?

Mary enjoyed an idyllic winter break sitting on the porch of her country cabin tucked away in the quiet woods. She loved to take long strolls through the forest at dawn and watch the rainbow of colors in the sky at sunset as she engrossed herself in a book.

What does idyllic mean?

The EXPERIENCE ClueSometimes you have words in your speaking vocabulary that you may never have seen in print.Ask yourself, Where have I heard that word? What was the situation?

Example: Slaves were prohibited from learning to read and write.

There are no clues. Where have you heard this word before?

That’s right! Students are prohibited from chewing gum in school.