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Writing,
Reading, Listening & Speaking:
Building Vocabulary: Using Context Clues to Learn Word
Meaning
When authors write, they often include context clues to
the meaning of words they use but think that some of
their readers may not know. The context clue is usually presented in the sentence or paragraph in which the word
occurs. Sometimes a visual such as a picture is
provided.
Here are six types of context clues used by authors to
help the reader understand the meanings of words. An
example is provided for each.
1.Definition context clue.
The author includes a definition to help the reader
understand the meaning of a word. In the following
example, “tainted” is defined as having a disease.
The people of the town were warned not to eat the
tainted fish. The local newspaper published a bulletin
in which readers were clearly told that eating fish that
had a disease could be very dangerous. This was
especially true for fish caught in Lake Jean.
2.Synonym context clue.
The author includes a synonym to help the reader
understand the meaning of a word. A synonym is a word
that means the same as or nearly the same as another
word. In the following example, the synonym “pity” helps
the reader understand the meaning of “compassion.”
After
seeing the picture of the starving children, we all felt
compassion or pity for their suffering.
3.
Antonym context clue.
The author includes an antonym to help the reader
understand the meaning of a word. An antonym is a word
that means the opposite of another word. In the
following example, the antonym “eager” helps the reader
understand the meaning of “reluctant.”
Joe was reluctant to take on the position of captain of
the basketball team. He was afraid that the time it
would take would hurt his grades. On the other hand,
Billy was eager for the chance to be captain. He thought
that being captain of the team would make him very
popular in school.
4.
Description context clue.
The author includes one or more descriptions to help the
reader understand the meaning of a word. In the
following example, descriptions of President Kennedy as
having charm, enthusiasm, and a magnetic personality
help the reader understand the meaning of “charismatic.”
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, our 35th president, improved
human rights and equal rights for all people. He was a
very charismatic president. People were attracted to his
charm and enthusiasm. His personality was described as
magnetic.
5.
Summary context clue.
The author makes a number of statements that help the
reader understand the meaning of a word. In the
following example, statements about being rude, showing
no respect, having poor manners, and being impolite help
the reader understand the meaning of “impertinent.”
Andrea was a very impertinent young lady. She was so
rude that she talked while her teacher was explaining a
lesson. She showed no respect for other students. Her
manners were very poor. Even her parents thought that
Andrea was impolite.
6.
Visual context clue.
The author includes a picture, drawing, chart, graph, or
other type of visual to help the reader understand the
meaning of a word. In the following example, the picture
and its caption that is close to the sentence helps the
reader understand that “exultant” means great joy.
Peggy had an exultant look on her face.
Using the context clues provided by authors can help you
learn the meaning of many new words.
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