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Context Clues

Context Clues. How can we figure out the meaning of a word we don’t know?. Using context clues helps us determine the meaning of words we don’t know. What are context clues ? Note: Copy in your notes all items with a beside them.

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Context Clues

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  1. Context Clues

  2. How can we figure out the meaning of a word we don’t know?

  3. Using context clues helps us determine the meaning of words we don’t know.

  4. What are context clues?Note: Copy in your notes all items with a beside them.

  5. First, the context is where or how the word is being used.

  6. Context: The sentence or paragraph where the word is located.

  7. The context is the way the word is being used in a certain situation.

  8. When we don’t know the meaning of a word . . .

  9. We look at its context, which means we look at the other words in the sentence/paragraph.

  10. By looking at the other words in the sentence/paragraph . . .

  11. We can discover context clues.

  12. These context clues help us figure out the meaning of the unfamiliar word.

  13. 3 Main Types of Context Clues

  14. Direct Definitions

  15. Direct Definitions • Often signaled by the word or Example: Chaps, or protective leg coverings, are often worn by cowboys.

  16. Direct Definitions • The definition of the unfamiliar word is directly provided in the context.The definition is set off by commas and the word or Example: Chaps, or protective leg coverings, are often worn by cowboys.

  17. Direct Definitions • You try it!What is the direct definition context clue below? Example: She chose to create an avatar, or cartoon image of herself, to use on her Facebook profile.

  18. Direct Definitions • What is the context clue in this sentence? Example: She chose to create an avatar, or cartoon image of herself, to use on her Facebook profile.

  19. Direct Definitions • The direct definition context clue helps us determine the meaning of the unfamiliar word avatar. Example: She chose to create an avatar, or cartoon image of herself, to use on her Facebook profile.

  20. Contrast Clues

  21. Contrast Clues • Sometimes there are two things that contrast in a sentence. Example: My last apartment was really small, but my new one is quite spacious.

  22. Contrast Clues • Small is a familiar word, but spacious may be unfamiliar Example: My last apartment was really small, but my new one is quitespacious.

  23. Contrast Clues • In this case, we have the conjunction butsignaling a contrast Example: My last apartment was reallysmall, butmy new one is quitespacious.

  24. Contrast Clues • This shows us that the words are more than likely opposites (contrasting each other) Example: My last apartment was reallysmall, but my new one is quitespacious.

  25. Contrast Clues • To solve this problem, we look at the familiar word small and determine that spacious must mean the opposite of small Example: My last apartment was really small, butmy new one is quite spacious.

  26. Contrast Clues • What does spacious mean? Example: My last apartment was really small, but my new one is quite spacious.

  27. Contrast Clues • The context clues help us to determine that spacious must mean bigThe contrasting phrases help us figure this out Example: My last apartment was really small, butmy new one is quite spacious.

  28. Contrast Clues • You try it!Determine the meaning of the unfamiliar word dreaded Example: At first I dreaded our move, butafter I saw my new school, I got excited!

  29. Contrast Clues • Based on the use of the word but in the context of this sentence, we can determine that dreaded is the opposite of excited Example: At first I dreaded our move, butafter I saw my new school, I got excited!

  30. Contrast Clues • The context clues reveal that dreaded means to fearWe can see that part of the sentence is positive (excited), so in this case, we can determine the other part of the sentence is negative (dreaded) Example: At first I dreaded our move, butafter I saw my new school, I got excited!

  31. Contrast Clues • Other words/phrases that signal contrast are:AlthoughHoweverOn the contraryOn the other handDissimilarIn contrast to

  32. Cause-and-EffectSentences

  33. Cause-and-Effect Sentences • By looking at the two situations in the sentence, we are able to determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word. Example: Because we lingered too long at the restaurant, we missed the beginning of the movie.

  34. Cause-and-Effect Sentences • lingeredis the unfamiliar wordThe word Because shows us that there is a relationship between words here Example: Because we lingered too long at the restaurant,we missed the beginning of the movie.

  35. Cause-and-Effect Sentences • The context clues tell us that lingering too long at the restaurant caused them to miss their movie Example: Because we lingered too long at the restaurant, we missed the beginning of the movie.

  36. Cause-and-Effect Sentences • Based on this information, what does lingered mean? Example: Because we lingered too long at the restaurant, we missed the beginning of the movie.

  37. Cause-and-Effect Sentences Cause: lingered too long at the restaurantEffect: missed the movieDefinition: to stay in one place longer than expected Example: Because we lingered too long at the restaurant, we missed the beginning of the movie.

  38. Cause-and-Effect Sentences • You try it!Determine the meaning of the word consequence Example: Because she chose to not do her homework, Stacey received a consequence from her teacher.

  39. Cause-and-Effect Sentences Cause: chose to not do her homeworkEffect: received a consequenceDefinition: the result of another action (in this context, a punishment) Example: Because she chose to not do her homework, Stacey received a consequence from her teacher.

  40. Review Context clues help us determine the meaning of unfamiliar wordsThe 3 main types of context clues are direct definition, contrast clues, and cause-and-effect sentences Source: http://www.georgiastandards.org

  41. You Try It! • Copy the sentences on the next slide • Circle the context clues in each sentence • Label each either direct definition, contrast clue, or cause-and-effect sentence • Write an inferred meaning for each word

  42. Copy the sentence, circle the context clue, and label it one of the following: direct definition, contrast clue, or cause-and-effect sentence. Then, write the inferred meaning of the word. The detective scrutinized, or examined closely, the evidence in the case.

  43. Direct Definition The detective scrutinized, or examined closely, the evidence in the case. Since it’s a direct definition example, the meaning is given to us as being “examined closely.” Let’s try another one . . .

  44. Copy the sentence, circle the context clue, and label it one of the following: direct definition, contrast clue, or cause-and-effect sentence. Then, write the inferred meaning of the word. Although the irate basketball player tried to argue, the referee remained calm.

  45. Contrast Clue Although the irate basketball player tried to argue, the referee remained calm. Since contrast is being shown here, we know that irate must mean the opposite of calm. The inferred meaning of irate is upset or out of control. Let’s try another one . . .

  46. Copy the sentence, circle the context clue, and label it one of the following: direct definition, contrast clue, or cause-and-effect sentence. Then, write the inferred meaning of the word. I have always been very satisfied with my long distance phone service; however, my friend has had a horrendous experience with hers.

  47. Contrast Clue I have always been very satisfied with my long distance phone service; however, my friend has had a horrendous experience with hers. The word however signals contrast here. Since one person had a positive experience (satisfied), then a horrendous experience must be a bad or terrible experience. Let’s try another one . . .

  48. Copy the sentence, circle the context clue, and label it one of the following: direct definition, contrast clue, or cause-and-effect sentence. Then, write the inferred meaning of the word. The detective’s 20 years of experience contributed to his sagacity, or wisdom, in how to solve crimes.

  49. Direct Definition The detective’s 20 years of experience contributed to his sagacity, or wisdom, in how to solve crimes. Sagacity means “wisdom” based on the direct definition context clue provided. This is signaled by the word “or.” Let’s try another one . . .

  50. Copy the sentence, circle the context clue, and label it one of the following: direct definition, contrast clue, or cause-and-effect sentence. Then, write the inferred meaning of the word. Because of her inability to decipher the word problem, the young girl was embarrassed when her teacher asked for her answer.

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