TYPES OF CONTEXT CLUES
There are at least four kinds of context clues that are quite common.
1. Synonyms (or definitions) -a synonym is a word or phrase with the same meaning.
EXAMPLES
a. Most castles had high walls and were surrounded by a water-filled ditch called a moat. (a water-filled
ditch is synonymous of the word moat)
b. The harlequin, like the circus clown, was a fool who loved to perform. (the phrase like the circus
clown is closely related or synonymous of the word harlequin)
2. Antonyms -a word or phrase with the opposite meaning.
EXAMPLES
a. Jerry is very clumsy, but his sister Jenny is adroit.
(adroit- clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.)
(the phrase very clumsy has the opposite meaning of the word adroit.)
b. Unlike his quite low key family, Brad is garrulous.
(garrulous-excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.)
(the phrase quite low key has its opposite meaning of the word garrulous)
3. Restatement- the difficult word is restated in a simpler word or clearer phrase. It is usually introduced by a comma or
dash. Some words or phrases like or and in other words are used to introduced a statement.
EXAMPLES
a. Be careful, the route you are taking is perilous in other words the turns are treacherous and dangerous.
(treacherous-involving betrayal) (perilous- full of danger)
(The phrase “the route you are taking is perilous” is restated by in
other words
the turns
are treacherous and dangerous.)
b. Jane is very good in painting, drawing and performing too in other word she is talented.
(The “good in painting, drawing and performing” is restated by talented.)
4. Definition - The meaning of the unknown word is explained or described within the sentence that follows. (definition of
course can be found in dictionary and this is the usual thing we do when we have difficult words being encountered)
Denotation is the meaning of the word found in the dictionary e.g. Love- a feeling or a strong affection for a person.
Connotation is an idea or quality that a word makes you think about in addition to its meaning. e.g. Love is
unconditional.
5. Example - writers use words like: “such as,” “for instance”, and “for example” indicate examples.
EXAMPLES
a. The student was suffering from anxiety. For example, when he first saw the test, he began to tremble. ( the
italicized word which is ‘For example’ indicates that this type of context clue is example)
b. Wilson put on a heavy coat, a wool scarf, several pairs of socks inside his boots, and fur-lined gloves to
protect himself against the frigid weather.
Frigid means:
(1) Very dry (2) very hot (3) very wet (4) very cold (5) very old
(the answer is very cold because as stated in the sentence the phrases ‘put on a heavy coat give hints that the
weather is frigid or very cold)
(Context Clues are the words and sentences that surround a word and help explain the word’s meaning. Context
Clues are hugely important because their comprehension and effective usage leads to academic success. They can
increase the child’s vocabulary, reading comprehension, and make students better reader).
Creating a Bibliography
A bibliography is an alphabetical list of sources referred to in a document. The list comprises citations, which
include the title, author, publisher, date of publication, and so on for each source. You’ll use bibliography to credit quotes
and other facts to lend legitimacy (authenticity, credibility) to your document.
When gathering information for your paper or project, you may encounter two types of sources.
1. Primary Sources – refer to firsthand, raw, or original materials that the researchers study and analyze. These sources
include actual remains and artifacts, actual documents, diaries or letters, eyewitness accounts, scripts of interviews, and
video or audio recordings of actual events. Primary sources usually contain detailed information because they come from
people who experienced or witnessed an event.
2. Secondary Sources – refer to interpretations of the primary sources. These sources include reviews, biographies,
discussions, reports, analyses of literary works, commentaries, and lectures.
In making a bibliography, some basic rules are followed.
1. Start each entry flushed on the left margin. If the entry is more than one line, indent the succeeding lines.
2. Remember the general sequence of each bibliographic entry: the name of the author/s, the title of the reference
material, and the publication details. Note also that each detail ends with a period.
3. List the sources alphabetically by author’s last name. The last name should be followed by a comma, then the first
name. For books that have two authors, the name of name of the second author is written in this order: first name and then
last name.
4. If the author is author is unknown, alphabetize the source by the first major word of the title. This means that the
articles “The”, “A”, and “An” are ignored.
5. The entire title of the reference material should be either underlined or italicized, depending on the preference. The
important thing is that there is consistency in all entries.
6. First in the publication details is the place where the reference book was published, and ends with a colon.
7. Following the colon is the name of the publisher and the year when the reference material was published, separated by a
comma.
EXAMPLES:
Author information
The very first piece of information in most references is the author’s name(s). We say “most,” because some sources may
not have an author (such as websites, the Bible…). If your source doesn’t have an author, do not include any information
about an author in your reference.
1 Author
If your source has one author, style the name like this:
 Last name of the Author, First initial. Middle initial.
 Doe, J. B.
To see some examples, scroll down to the bottom half of this page.
2 Authors
Does your source have two authors? Do not put the names in alphabetical order. They should be written in the order
they’re displayed on the source.
 Last name of the 1st listed Author, First Initial. Middle Initial., & Last name of the 2nd listed Author, First initial.
Middle initial.
 Doe, J. B. & Chen, W. I.
Sample Bibliography: APA
 Becsey, L., Wachsberger, P., Samuels, S., et al (Directors). (2008). In
[DVD] Burbank, CA: Distributed by Warner
the valley of Elah.
Home Video.
 Glantz, A. (2009). The war comes home: Washington's battle against
America's veterans.
Berkeley: University of California Press.
 Jensen, G. & Wiest, A. A. (2001). War in the age of technology myriad
faces of modern
armed conflict. New York: New York University Press. Retrieved from the NetLibrary database.
There are different cohesive devices expressing different uses.
Cohesive devices that show contrast
although
in contrast to
on the one hand
but
in opposition to
on the other hand
despite
in spite of
rather than
even if
instead
although
even so
nevertheless
unlike
however
on the contrary
yet
Study these sample sentences.



The Christmas tree is natural but it is expensive.
Moira finished high school on time even if her parents stopped supporting her.
Mercedes Benz is so much expensive in contrast to Toyota.
Cohesive devices that show comparison
all
compared to
likewise
and
in comparison with
similarly
as
just as
both
like
Study these sample sentences.



Laptops and mobile phones are both necessary for every student today.
Books are still important in studying just as e-books.
Glenda’s English speaking abilities improved when she enrolled in an online English class, likewise, Joann had gained more
confidence in speaking in public.
Cohesive devices that show steps in a process
after
finally
now
afterward
first, second, third, etc.
then
at this point
lastly
ultimately
at this stage
next
Study these sample sentences.


At this stage, allow the noodles to cook for 8-10 minutes while constantly stirring it so it will not stick to the pan.
Afterward, mix the dry ingredients such as flour, baking powder, and sugar.
Cohesive devices that show cause and effect relationship
as a consequence
consequently
resulting in
as a result
due to
since
because
for
so
thus
for this reason
therefore
bring about
hence
caused by
resulting from