MUSTANG MINUTE:
Look at the following sentences, particularly the underlined word. Try to guess what the word’s meaning is and write down the word and its definition. Also, write one reason WHY you think that is the definition.

A guide for figuring out what a word means!

WHAT ARE CONTEXT CLUES:
• Context clues are HINTS that the author leaks onto the page to help readers understand difficult or unusual words.
• a method by which the meanings of unknown words may be obtained by examining the parts of a sentence surrounding the word

TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES:
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a method by which the meanings of unknown word s may be obtained by examining the parts of a sent ence surrounding the word for definition/explanatio n clues, restatement/synonym clues, contrast/anto nym clues, and inference/general context clues
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SYNONYM:
• A synonym, or word with the same meaning, is used in the sentence
.
• The vociferous Hermione could talk for hours about
Hogwarts, A History.
Definition: expressing feelings or opinions in a very loud or forceful way: expressed in a very loud or forceful way

ANTONYM:
• A word or group of words that has the opposite meaning can reveal the meaning of the term.
• Malfoy showed his canniness throughout the story while
Crabbe and Goyle could only grunt stupidly.
Definition: very clever and able to make intelligent decisions

EXPLANATION OR DEFINITION:
• The unknown word is explained within the sentence or in a sentence immediately before or after.
• Growing the bones in his arm had enervated Harry so much that he had to sleep for days in the Hospital Ward.
Definition: to make
(someone or something) very weak or tired

EXAMPLE:
• Specific examples are used to define the unknown word.
• Hagrid loves the noxious creatures of the magical world, such as dragons, blast-ended skrewts, and acromantulas.
Definition: harmful to living things

TONE AND SETTING:
• Look at what is happening in the big picture to find out what the unknown word means.
• Ex: "What will happen your children when I've killed you?" taunted Bellatrix, as mad as her master, capering as Molly's curses danced around her.
Definition: to jump around in a lively way

HOW TO FIGURE OUT A WORD’S MEANING
L
P
R
R

L
Look at the word(s) and sentence(s) before and after the unfamiliar word.

P
Quickly guess what the word may mean or what you think it may mean.

R
Replace the unknown word with what you think it means? Does it make sense?

R
If the word you chose to replace it with didn’t make sense, repeat the process! Find another word to try out instead. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!

PRACTICE:
LPR
1. There were so many times when I felt shame, and all the hope drained from my soul as I watched the adults in my family kowtow to white people (15).
2. Walking the gauntlet to my next class was even more harrowing (112).
3. He complimented me saying I was articulate, and asked if I could write
(121).
4. I’m an average teenager, just like yourself, with the same aspirations and heartaches (122).
5. He ended his long statement by demanding that all persons engaged in obstruction of justice “cease and desist” (124).
6. I sat perfectly still, my attention riveted on the television screen, where the most wonderful pictures moved before my eyes (126).