Context Clues

• Context clues are words, phrases, and sentences that surround an unfamiliar word. These help the readers to understand or recognize the meaning of the word
• Most Common Types of Context Clues

  • Synonyms (Restatement Clues)
  • Antonyms (Contrast Clues)
  • Example (Example Clues)
  • Definition (Description Clues)
• Additional Types of Context Clues

  • Experience Clue
  • Inference Clue
  • Cause and Effect Clue
• SYNONYMS (Restatement Clues) - used when the text has words or phrases that are similar in meaning to the unknown word.
• ANTONYMS (Contrast Clues) - use of words that reveal the opposite meaning in relation to the unknown word.
• EXAMPLES (Example Clues) -are specific details in a text that are used to clarify the meaning of a word.
• DEFINITION (Description Clues) - is the meaning provided as a clue which is usually introduced by verb forms, commas, or dashes.
• EXPERIENCE CLUE - the reader knows from experience how people or things act in a given situation. This knowledge provides the clue to a word’s meaning.
• INFERENCE CLUE - Sufficient clues might be available for the careful reader to make an educated guess at the meaning.
• CAUSE AND EFFECT CLUE - The author explains the reason for or the result of the word