Chapter 2: Using Context Clues and Word Parts

1. Chapter 2:Using Context Clues and Word Parts Active Reading Skills, 2/eKathleen McWhorter Brette McWhorter Sember PowerPoint by Gretchen Starks-Martin

2. What is Context? • The words around the word you want to learn provide context clues to define the word’s meaning. • Example: During the lecture, the ornithologist described his research on western spotted owls as well as many other species of birds.

3. Types of Context Clues • Definition Clues • Synonym Clues • Example Clues • Contrast Clues • Inference Clues

4. Definition Clues • A writer defines a word immediately following its use. • Words and phrases are used such as: means, is, refers to, and can be defined. • Example: A prosthesis is an artificial replacement for a missing body part, such as an eye, a limb, or a heart valve.

5. Definition Clues • Punctuation often signals a clue. • Commas, parentheses, and dashes are often used. • Example: Glen was especially interested in nephology, a branch of meteorology that deals with clouds. • Example:Middle age (35-65 years) is a time for strengthening and maintaining life’s goals. • Example: Many societies are patriarchal—males exert dominant power and authority.

6. Synonym Clues • A writer provides a word or brief phrase that is close in meaning. • The synonym may appear in the same sentence or in a later sentence.

7. Examples of Synonym Clues • The author purposely left the ending of his novel ambiguous, or unclear, so readers would have to decide for themselves what happened. • After the soccer match, a melee broke out in the parking lot. Three people were injured in the brawl, and several others were arrested.

8. Example Clues • A writer often includes examples that help to explain or clarify a word. • They use words and phrases such as: to illustrate, for instance, for example, such as, and including. • Example: Microscopic pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, constantly threaten our health as we go about our daily lives.

9. Contrast Clues • It is sometimes possible to determine the meaning of an unknown word from a word or phrase that has an opposite meaning. • Example: At the wedding reception, the parents of the bride seemed to welcome all the attention whereas the groom’s parents eschewed it by staying at their table.

10. Inference Clues • Many times you can figure out the meaning of an unknown word by using logic and reasoning skills. • Example: Langston Hughes was a protean writer; although he is known mainly for his poetry, he also wrote plays, novels, short stories, children’s books, songs, and essays.

11. What Are Word Parts? • Prefixes – beginning of a word • Suffixes – end of a word • Roots – the core of a word’s meaning; usually combined with a suffix and/or prefix

12. Example of Word Parts • The parents thought their child was unteachable. • (Prefix) un = not • (Root) teach = help someone learn • (Suffix) able = able to do something • Unteachable = not able to be taught

13. Prefixes - Beginnings of Words • Prefixes + Root = New Word • dis + respect = disrespect • Meaning: not + respect = lack of respect See Table 2-1 for Common Prefixes

14. Roots – Core Meaning of Words • Root dic/dict means “tell or say.” • Dictate = to speak for someone to write down • Dictionary = a book that “tells” what words mean See Table 2-2 for Common Roots

15. Roots When you see a word you don’t know: • Look for the root first. • Keep in mind that the spelling of a root may change a bit if it is combined with a suffix.

16. Suffixes – Word Endings • Root + Suffix = New Word • class + ify = classify (verb) • class + ic + classic (adjective) • class _ ification = classification (noun) See Table 2-3 for Common Suffixes

17. Evaluating Your Progress Use the “Vocabulary” module in the Reading Skills section on the MyReadingLab Web site at http://www.ablongman.com/myreadinglab.

18. For extra practice visit the Companion Web site. http://www.ablongman.com/mcwhorter