STRATEGIES FOR READING
CONTEXT CLUES
Having trouble with complete-the-sentence sections or determining what unfamiliar words mean
while you’re reading? Have no fear! Skilled readers often use context clues to determine a
word’s meaning. CONTEXT refers to the words or sentences before and/or after a certain word
that hint at or clarify a word’s meaning. Below are examples of the different types of context
clues to look for: Restatement, example, comparison, contrast, and cause/effect.
RESTATEMENT
Definitions or synonyms for a word are often repeated in a less precise way within some
sentences. Look for the following signal words:
SIGNAL WORDS
Which is/means
In other words
That is
Also known as
Or
Also called
*Restatement context clues may also be signaled by a comma or other type of punctuation.
FOR EXAMPLE:
Jeanne trained herself to be an ambidextrous basketball player, which means she can
shoot, pass, and dribble with both hands!
EXAMPLE
Examples of things that relate or are associated with a word are often given in a sentence.
SIGNAL WORDS
Like
Including
Such as
For instance
Especially
Other
This
These
These include
For example
FOR EXAMPLE:
The work of an agronomist includes the selective breeding of crop plants and the
development of methods to preserve oil.
McDougal, Little. “Wordskills: Teacher’s Edition. Evanston, Illinois, 2000.
COMPARISON
By noting similarities between things described, the reader can get an idea of the meaning by
comparing it to something more familiar. (*HINT: Synonyms may be used!)
Like
As
In the same
Similar to
Resembling
Just like
SIGNAL WORDS
Similarity
Also
Likewise
Identical
Related
FOR EXAMPLE:
Similar to the way a mother consoles a crying baby, my fears were assuaged when my
teacher gave us an extension on my term paper.
CONTRAST
By noting contrasts between things described, the reader can get an idea of the meaning by
contrasting it to something more familiar. (*HINT: Antonyms may be used!)
SIGNAL WORDS
On the other hand
Different from/than
In contrast to
But
Although
On the contrary
Dissimilar
Unlike
However
FOR EXAMPLE:
The intrepid child, unlike her more fearful playmates, never doubted her ability to climb
to the top of the tree.
CAUSE/EFFECT
First the cause/action of a sentence will be stated, usually using an unfamiliar word. It will be
followed by the effect or consequence of that initial action at the end in more familiar
terms, which can be used to insinuate what the meaning is.
Because
Since
Consequently
Therefore
SIGNAL WORDS
When
As a result
“If…then”
FOR EXAMPLE:
Since both sides of the people arguing about the labor dispute were intransigent, now a
federal mediator had to be brought in to help reach an agreement.
Name:______________________________
English 2 APPL
“SLANG” CONTEXT CLUES
*DEFINITION
OF WORD:
1)
Restatement Sentence:
2)
Example Sentence:
3)
Comparison Sentence:
4)
Contrast Sentence:
5)
Cause/Effect Sentence:
EXAMPLE
“SLANG” CONTEXT CLUES
*DEFINITION
OF WORD:
1)
Restatement Sentence:
2)
Example Sentence:
3)
Comparison Sentence:
4)
Contrast Sentence:
5)
Cause/Effect Sentence: