Transcript Example context clues

Context Clues
Figuring out difficult
vocabulary!
Direct definition context clues
No need for a dictionary with these words…the
definition of the word is right in the text!
EXAMPLE:
“I staggered, almost falling, coughing and sobbing for
breath.”
In this sentence the words “almost falling” tell us that
staggering means to walk in an unsteady way…almost
falling over.
Hint: the definition usually follows right after the
word in a phrase set off by commas
Antonym context clues are words around a
difficult word that mean the opposite or nearly
the opposite as the word.
EXAMPLE:
“I guess that guy knew how close to hysterics I really
was, for he talked to me in a low, soothing voice…”
In this sentence
the words “for” and “soothing” indicates hysterics
must mean someone needs to be soothed and the opposite of
soothing is exciting. Hysterics means being so excited you are out of
control emotionally.
Hint: look for signal words at the beginnings of phrases that follow
the unfamiliar word. Words like, “but,” “for,” “yet,” and “however”
clue you in that they are going to talk about how something doesn’t
seem right…how it’s the opposite of what was expected.
Example context clues are words around a
difficult word that explain the meaning of the
word.
EXAMPLE:
“…I had read the part about them riding into sure
death because they were gallant.”
In this sentence the words “riding into sure death”
provide an example of what it takes to be gallant…or
brave!
Inference context clues are words around a
difficult word that imply the meaning. The
reader must infer.
EXAMPLE:
“I fought to get loose, and almost did for a second;
then they tightened up on me and the one on my
chest slugged me a couple of times.”
In this sentence the words “fought,” “tightened up”
and “one on my chest” give us an idea there is a fight or
struggle going on…so we can infer that slugged means
to punch or hit someone.
Prefix context clues are words that begin with a
prefix that helps the reader infer the meaning of
the word.
EXAMPLE:
Soda began sleeping with me and [the dream] stopped
recurring so often…”
In this sentence, the word recurring includes the prefix
“re.” If you know that “re” means “to do again,” you can
guess something is happening again…in this case
“occurring” again.
You TRY!
Look at your list of vocabulary from your reading log from Chapters
5/6 and 7.
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Pick the one that you’re most unsure of its meaning. Highlight the
word in your log and then write it on a post-it and pass it to the person
on your right.
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Then go back and look for context clues to see if you can make a
better guess now. Don’t erase your old guess, write your new one in a
different color or off to the side.
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Then look up the word on the post-it passed to you. Write the
definition down and then pass it back.
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Compare your guess to the definition. Were you closer this time?
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Be prepared to share which type of context clue helped you and what
words in the passage clued you in to the meaning.
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