Transcript in other words

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.
By becoming more aware of the words
around a difficult word, readers can
make logical guesses about the
meanings of many words.
1. Synonym/Definition
Sometimes a synonym of the word is
given and follows a comma, a dash, or
words such as or, is called, that is, and in
other words. Also, it might be right there
separated by the word AND
Examples:
Most castles had high walls and were
surrounded by a water-filled ditch called a
moat.
She hated and detested spinach.
2. The OPPOSITE Clue
Sometimes 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.
3. The EXAMPLE Clue
Here no direct meaning of the word is given,
but the meaning is evident in other words.
Look for the following signal words:
 lists or chains, a series of commas
 Signal words: like, such as, also, for
example, including, to illustrate, for
instance, are examples of
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.
4. The DEFINITION Clue
Sometimes the text tells you outright
what the word means.
Signal Words: means, refers to
Examples:
Inherit means to receive from your parents.
Global warming refers to the increase in the
average temperature of Earth’s near-surface.
5. The COMMA clue
Sometimes 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.
6. The AKA Clue
Often the word might be explained
by other terms.
Signal Words: is/are called, also known as,
otherwise known as, also called, more commonly
known as
Examples:
An animal that hunts another for food is known as
a predator.
Lions are called predators because they hunt
other animals for food.
Streptococcus, more commonly known as strep
throat, is a contagious infection.
7. The PUNCTUATION FLAG Clue
Sometimes you may see punctuation
marks that signal the meaning of a word.
Signals: parenthesis, hyphen, 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.
The EXPERIENCE Strategy
Sometimes 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.
The READ MORE Strategy
Sometimes 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.
Context Clues Practice
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.
Dear Diary,
I overslept this morning. I had to eat my bowl of poofpoofs 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 7 points and they
only scored 5 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
On Your Own Activities

Quia Context Clues Activity


Study zone lesson and activity


http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/e4topic.cf
m?TopicID=24
TV 411 Activity


http://www.quia.com/pop/117579.html
http://www.tv411.org/lessons/cfm/reading.cf
m?str=reading&num=7&act=1
Word Clues Activity

http://wps.ablongman.com/long_licklider_vocabu
lary_1/0,1682,11855-,00.html