Context Clues No Dictionary Needed

Context Clues
No dictionary needed!
What are context clues?
 Think of context as meaning the
neighborhood in which a word lives.
 It is a clue in identifying new words.
 Look at the sentence before the unknown
word, the sentence the unknown word is
in, and the sentence after the unknown
word to find clues.
Context Clues – What Are They?
 Context clues are bits of information from

the text that, when combined with prior
knowledge, allow you to decide the
meaning of unknown words in the story or
article you are reading.
 As a reader you must act similar to a
detective and put together clues from
sentences surrounding an unknown word
in order to make an intelligent “guess” as
to what the definition of a word is.
Context Clues – How Do They Help
You Read New Words?
 Textbook writers and authors include
words or phrases to help their readers
understand the meaning of a new or
difficult word.
 These words or phrases are built into the
sentences around the new or difficult
word. By becoming more aware of the
words around a difficult word, readers can
make logical guesses about the meanings
of many words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgaSm
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Five Types of Context Clues
 1. Definition/Explanation Clues
 2. Restatement/Synonym Clues
 3. Contrast/Antonym Clues
 4. Inference/General Context Clues
 5. Punctuation
1. Definition/Explanation Clues
 Sometimes a word’s or phrase’s meaning
is explained immediately after its use.
 Example:“Haberdashery, which is a store

that sells men’s clothing, is becoming
more common today.
Direct definition context clues are words
that say, “Stop - don’t touch that dictionary.
The definition of the word you don’t know is
right here in the text!"
EXAMPLES:
 There are many theories, or ideas, about
what made the Ice Ages happen.
 In this sentence the word “ideas” tells us that
theories are different thoughts people have about
something.
 After a time, glaciers, or slowly moving
rivers of ice, formed over many parts of the
Earth.
 In this sentence the words “slowly moving rivers
of ice” tell us what glaciers are.
2. Restatement/Synonym Clues
 Sometimes a hard word or phrase is said in a
simple way.
 Example: “Lou was sent to the haberdashery to

find a new suit. He needed to wear it for his
uncle’s wedding.”
 Because the sentence says that Lou would find a

suit at the haberdashery, then it must be a place
where clothes for men are sold.
Synonym context clues are words around a difficult
word that mean the same or nearly the same as the
word.
EXAMPLES:
After seeing the picture of the starving

children, we felt compassion or pity for their
suffering.
Inthis sentence the word “pity” tells us that
compassion means to have understanding for.
Mary admonished her students and they knew
they were in hot water for their actions.
Inthis sentence the words “in hot water” tell us that
admonished means cautioned or scolded.
3. Contrast/Antonym Clues
 Sometimes a word of phrase is clarified by the
presentation of the opposite meaning
somewhere close to its use. Look for signal
words when applying context clues.
 Example: “Lou
wanted to go to the haberdashery,
but Ann wanted to shop at the boutique.”
 The signal word but tells the reader that an

opposite thought is going to be stated.
Antonym context clues are words around a
difficult word that mean the opposite or nearly the
opposite as the word.
EXAMPLE:
 Joe was reluctant to take the job of captain of the
team. He was afraid that the time it would take
would hurt his grades. On the other hand, Billy
was eager for the chance to be the team captain.
 In this sentence the words “on the other hand” and
“eager” tell us that Billy feels the opposite of Joe,
therefore, reluctant means uncertain or cautious.
4. Inference/General Context Clues
 Sometimes a word or phrase is not immediately
clarified within the same sentence.
Relationships, which are not directly apparent,
are inferred or implied. The reader must look
for clues within, before, and after the sentence
in which the word is used.
 Example: “The haberdashery was Lou’s favorite

place. He loved shopping for nice suits. The
people who worked there were so kind and
helpful.”
5. Punctuation
 Readers can also use clues of punctuation and type style to
infer meaning, such as quotation marks (showing the word
has a special meaning), dashes, parentheses, or brackets
(enclosing a definition), italics (showing the word will be
defined), or a comma before defining the word.
 Examples:
 Tom’s father was a haberdasher, or men’s shop keeper,
in the story.
 Tom’s father was a haberdasher (men’s shop keeper) in
the story.
 In the story, Tom’s father was a haberdasher – or
men’s shop keeper.
 Tom’s father was a “haberdasher”. He had a clothing
store for men.
Click here for your Context Clues
practice!
Click here to test your SKILLS!!

Now it is your turn to be a
detective and follow the
clues!
Use what you have learned about

context clues to complete the activity
on the next 5 slides.
Context Clues Practice Activity
Your friend Ryan has moved to a new country and is learning
a new language. Read what he wrote in his diary and see if
you can figure out the meaning to the underlined words.
Dear Diary,
I overslept this morning. I had to eat my bowl of poof-poofs very

quickly, and I almost missed the tramzam. When I got to school, I realized
I had forgotten my zilgping . Luckily, Ms. Jutzi is very zoosh, and told me
I could bring it tomorrow.
After school, some friends and I played plingming. It’s a new game I
am learning. We scored 7 points and they only scored 5 points, so we were
the zoiters!
Dad says that next weekend we’re going to the fladder . I can’t wait!
I love to swim and play in the sand. I hope I don’t get a sunburn though.
Well, I better go to bed soon. I don’t want to wake up late again and
miss my tramzam!
Until tomorrow,
Ryan
Directions
It’s time for some detective work.
Take each word from Ryan’s diary
that is written in his new language
and use the context clues in the text
to figure them out!
Let’s begin…
 What could the word poof-poofs mean?
► The sentences tell me it is something that can be eaten. I know that it is a
breakfast food because Ryan said it was morning. I also know that it goes
in a bowl. What do you think it is?
► The most logical guess would be a type of cereal.
 What could the word tramzam mean?

► The sentences tell me that Ryan was going to school and he almost missed
his tramzam. What do you think it is?
► The most logical guess would be a school bus.
 What could the word zilgping mean?

► The sentences tell me that it is something Ryan needed at school. I also
know that it is ok if he brings it tomorrow. What do you think it is?
► The most logical guess would be Ryan’s homework.
 What could the word zoosh mean?

► The sentences tell me that a person can act this way and that Ms. Jutzi is
being kind and allowing Ryan to bring his homework the next day. What do
you think it is?
► The most logical guess would be friendly or understanding.
You’re doing terrific…keep going!
 What could the word plingming mean?

► The sentences tell me it is a game Ryan and his
friends play against each other and that points can be
scored. What do you think it is?
► The most logical guess would be a sport such as
basketball or soccer.
 What could the word zoiters mean?

► The sentences tell me that Ryan’s team scored 7
points while the other team scored less points. What
do you think it is?
► The most logical guess would be that it means
winners.
Almost there…
 What could the word fladder mean?

► The sentences tell me that Ryan’s dad said he could
go there and when he gets there they will swim and
play in the sand. Ryan also mentions not wanting a
sunburn. What do you think it is?
► The most logical guess would be a lake or a beach.
 And, remember, we already figured out the word

tramzam probably means school bus.
Congratulations!
 You are doing a super job! You’re a top
notch detective. Keep going on to do
more context clues activities.
 Remember, you will need to click the back
arrow Z to return for more activities.

Context Clues No Dictionary Needed

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Context Clues

 Context clues are bits of information from

 Example:“Haberdashery, which is a store

 Example: “Lou was sent to the haberdashery to

 Because the sentence says that Lou would find a

After seeing the picture of the starving

 The signal word but tells the reader that an

 Example: “The haberdashery was Lou’s favorite

Click here to test your SKILLS!!

Use what you have learned about

I overslept this morning. I had to eat my bowl of poof-poofs very

 What could the word tramzam mean?

 What could the word zilgping mean?

 What could the word zoosh mean?

 What could the word plingming mean?

 What could the word zoiters mean?

 What could the word fladder mean?

 And, remember, we already figured out the word

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