ELC501
ELC501
ELC501
of an Unfamiliar Word
through Context
Context Clues
Context clues consist of words in a sentence
or paragraph that enable readers to reason
out the meaning of unfamiliar words. (Context
is whatever surrounds something else. Words appear in the
context of a sentence.)
Contrast Clues
The author includes a word or phrase that is the
opposite of the word whose meaning you are
trying to figure out. The meaning will be the
opposite of the opposite.
Signals:
--Words such as but, however, on the other hand,
nevertheless, yet, in contrast, and some . . .others
--Opposite words (e.g., men and women; Democrats
and Republicans; ancient and modern)
2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
Example Clues
Consist of one or more examples that are
used to illustrate the meaning of the
unfamiliar word. The example is not the
definition, but it is a clue to it.
Signals:
--Examples are typically introduced by for
example, to illustrate, for instance, and such
as
2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
The Edge:
Pointers from the Coach
Some context clues can be misleading since
context clues do not always provide perfect clues
to an unfamiliar words meaning. When you are
using the context, you are making an educated
guess.
Context clues may not always be complete. Even
so, if you look a word up in the dictionary, the
context will help you determine which definition
you need--the one that makes sense in the
sentence.
2008 McGraw-Hill Higher Education
10
11