Using
Context
Clues
Types of Clues
Writers often help readers with unfamiliar words
by giving clues through the use of:
• punctuation marks (commas or dashes)
• “signal” words (that clarify)
or
• whole sentences before or after the word which
form a “context” that can help define the
unfamiliar word.
Punctuation Marks
Commas, dashes, and
parentheses are
sometimes followed
by a word or words
that have the same
meaning, a short
definition, or an
example, to help the
reader.
Commas, Dashes, and
Parentheses
Examples:
•Stealthily, slowly and secretly, he crept up on
his victim.
•At 3:00 we’ll take a brief intermission--- a
short break---and get some refreshments.
•The incinerator (which is the place we burn
our trash) was causing the air to heat up.
Signal Words
These words signal a definition, example, or
synonym : or, such as, for example, which
is, especially, like, that is, and in other
words.
Signal Words
Examples: (notice the signal words)
The boy stood there stolidly or with little
emotion or movement.
The girl cried in anguish, like a dying animal.
Enunciation is extremely important in a speech.
In other words, you must always speak clearly
to be understood.
Context of the Text
When a reader encounters an unfamiliar
word, he/she must use all of the clues
around the word to figure it out. These are
the “context” clues.
Context of the Text
Example: The students were exhilarated
when their football team won the
championship game. They celebrated,
laughing and cheering, all night.
What does exhilarated mean? What are the
clues in the sentence that tell you this?
Practice Using Context Clues
Copy the following sentences in your
journal. Write a definition or synonym
for each underlined word. Circle the
clues in the text that helped you guess
the meaning of the word.
1. The indigenous (native) animals of this
area are at risk due to the new construction.
2. His indisposition made him turn down the
invitation. He was truly sick that day.
3. Her words were really lyrical, her friends
thought she could become a poet.
4. The first class to secede, or break away,
from the school group was the fifth grade class.
5. The genre, such as fiction, should be
labeled on your book report.
6. She was of an indeterminate--hard to
identify--age.
7. He is a skeptic, he doesn’t believe
anything until you can prove it to him.
8. The impudent child got scolded by her
parents for her rudeness to her brother.
9. His help was incalculable, without his
countless efforts we couldn’t have done
what we did.
10. The luminous light brightened our
path so well that we easily found our way
out.
Answers
1. Native or natural to that area; clues are the
parentheses ( ) around the synonym.
2. Illness; clue is the word sick.
3. Poetical; clue is the word poet.
4. Separate or break away; clue is the word
or before a synonym.
Answers continued
5. Type of writing; Clues are the words
such as followed by an example.
6. Hard to identify or determine; clues are
the dashes before and after the synonym.
7. A person that doesn’t believe easily;
clues are the words/phrases believe and
until you can prove it.
8. Rude; clue is the word rudeness.
Answers continued
9. So much it can’t be measured,
immeasurable; clue is the word countless.
10. Bright; clues are light and brightened.