Writing - Context Clues

Just like a detective, we have to use clues! There are words or phrases around unfamiliar words that can help us understand the meaning of a word. 

These words or phrases are called context clues.

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.”

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 one 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.

5contextclues.pdf

3. Contrast/Antonym Clues

Sometimes a word or 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.

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.” 

5contextclues.pdf

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), and italics (showing the word will be defined).

Punctuation 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.

5contextclues.pdf

As a result ......................... For example

Accordingly ........................For instance

Because............................... Including

Since ......................................Such as

Consequently..................... Specifically

For this reason ..................To illustrate

Hence

if … then