using context clues to predict the meanings of unfamiliar words

Using Context Clues to Predict the Meanings of Unfamiliar Words

Strategies

How to figure out unfamiliar words…1.Look them up in the dictionary and find the definition that makes the most sense. 2.Use word parts (prefixes, root/base words, suffixes).3.Use context clues.

Pre-Assessment Results

1. breadwinner (3 of 7)

2. magistrate (3 of 12)

3. skilly (0 of 5)

4. fetid (0 of 1)

5. typhus (4 of 4) No one could list the six methods. You rated your context clues skills as

3.27.

Gist (General Idea) Clue

Method: Look at other words and sentences around the

unknown word for clues. Then, use your general knowledge to put the

clues together to figure out the unknown word’s meaning.

Example: The wedding reception meal was a disaster. The potatoes were too briny, and the punch was too sour to quench my thirst.

Definition of briny = salty

Unfamiliar Words

Word Sentence What I think it means Clues that helped me

Dictionary Definition

breadwinner Ordinarily, a family applied to enter the workhouse when the chief breadwinner was sick or injured, and all other resources had been exhausted.

The primary person who works to earn money for a family

•family•chief•workhouse•sick or injured

a person who earns a livelihood, especially one who also supports dependents

Unfamiliar Words

Word Sentence What I think it means Clues that helped me

Dictionary Definition

magistrate He was arrested, taken before the magistrate the next day, and committed to 14 days’ hard labor for the crime of attempting to feed his children.

Judge or court official •arrested•taken before•crime

a public officer concerned with the administration of law

Unfamiliar Words

Word Sentence What I think it means Clues that helped me

Dictionary Definition

skilly One dish was “skilly,” a foul concoction of cornmeal boiled in water.

A nasty soup-like mixture made from cornmeal

•foul•dish•concoction•cornmeal•boiled•water

a thin soup or gruel or porridge

Six Types of Context Clues

Triple C REDC – comparison (synonym)C – contrast (antonym)C – cause and effectR – restatementE – exampleD – definition

Six Types of Context Clues

Triple C REDC – comparison (synonym)C – contrast (antonym)C – cause and effectR – restatementE – exampleD – definition

Comparison (Synonym) Clue

Suggests the meaning of the

word by telling what it is like

Comparison (Synonym) Clue

Signal words: like, as, similar to, not unlike, resembling, reminiscent, similarly

Punctuation: noneExample: Like the chirps from a bird, the

soprano’s notes twittered above the orchestra.

Definition of twittered = to utter a succession of small, tremulous (quivering & trembling) sounds, as a bird

Six Types of Context Clues

Triple C REDC – comparison (synonym)C – contrast (antonym)C – cause and effectR – restatementE – exampleD – definition

Contrast (Antonym) Clue

Suggests the meaning of the

word by describing what it is unlike

Contrast (Antonym) Clue

Signal words: unlike, but, in contrast to, different from, instead, on the other hand, except for

Punctuation: noneExample: When faced with last minute

changes, Tom is flexible, but Li is doctrinaire and won’t accept them.

Definition of doctrinaire = unyielding, inflexible, rigid

Six Types of Context Clues

Triple C REDC – comparison (synonym)C – contrast (antonym)C – cause and effectR – restatementE – exampleD – definition

Cause and Effect Clue

Describes the cause or effect related to

the word

Cause and Effect Clue

Signal words: since, because, so, as a result, due to, thus

Punctuation:Comma ,Colon :

Example: Because Gary looked so sullen, we asked how we might improve his mood.

Definition of sullen = showing irritation or ill humor by a gloomy silence

Six Types of Context Clues

Triple C REDC – comparison (synonym)C – contrast (antonym)C – cause and effectR – restatementE – exampleD – definition

Restatement Clue

Restates the meaning of the word in easier

language

Restatement Clue

Signal words: is, are, meaning, in other words

Punctuation: Comma , Dash — Parentheses ( ) Colon :

Example: The business downturn of the Great Depression was pervasive—it affected all sectors of the economy.

Definition of pervasive = spread throughout, widespread

Six Types of Context Clues

Triple C REDC – comparison (synonym)C – contrast (antonym)C – cause and effectR – restatementE – exampleD – definition

Example Clue

Suggests a word meaning with one or more examples

Example Clue

Signal words: such as, especially, like, for instance, for example, including

Punctuation: Dash — Colon :

Example: At the old house, signs of dilapidation included a sagging porch, broken windows, and flaking paint.

Definition of dilapidation = disrepair or ruin, shabbiness

Six Types of Context Clues

Triple C REDC – comparison (synonym)C – contrast (antonym)C – cause and effectR – restatementE – exampleD – definition

Definition (Explanation) Clue

Directly tells the meaning of the

word in the sentence

Definition (Explanation) Clue

Signal words: this means, that is, or, also, known as , also called, defined as

Punctuation: Comma ,Dash —

Example: Nanotechnology, or the process of creating microminiature equipment by manipulating atoms and molecules, is fascinating.

Definition of nanotechnology = process of creating microminiature equipment by manipulating atoms and molecules

Six Types of Context Clues

Triple C REDC – comparison (synonym)C – contrast (antonym)C – cause and effectR – restatementE – exampleD – definition

Unfamiliar WordsWord Sentence What I think it means Clues that helped

meDictionary Definition

bread-winner

Ordinarily, a family applied to enter the workhouse when the chief breadwinner was sick or injured, and all other resources had been exhausted.

The primary person who works to earn money for a family

•family•chief•workhouse•sick or injured

a person who earns a livelihood, especially one who also supports dependents

Which of the six context clues methods (Triple C RED) and/or gist was used to determine the meaning of breadwinner?

Unfamiliar WordsWord Sentence What I think it means Clues that

helped meDictionary Definition

Type of context clues:1.Comparison2.Contrast3.Cause /effect4.Restatement5.Example6.Definition7.Gist

bread-winner

Ordinarily, a family applied to enter the workhouse when the chief breadwinner was sick or injured, and all other resources had been exhausted.

The primary person who works to earn money for a family

•family•chief•workhouse•sick or injured

a person who earns a livelihood, especially one who also supports dependents

Cause / effect

Gist

Unfamiliar Words

Word Sentence What I think it means Clues that helped me

Dictionary Definition

magistrate He was arrested, taken before the magistrate the next day, and committed to 14 days’ hard labor for the crime of attempting to feed his children.

Judge or court official •arrested•taken before•crime

a public officer concerned with the administration of law

Which of the six context clues methods (Triple C RED) and/or gist was used to determine the meaning of magistrate?

Unfamiliar Words

Word Sentence What I think it means Clues that helped me

Dictionary Definition Type of context clues:1.Comparison2.Contrast3.Cause /effect4.Restatement5.Example6.Definition7.Gist

magistrate He was arrested, taken before the magistrate the next day, and committed to 14 days’ hard labor for the crime of attempting to feed his children.

Judge or court official

•arrested•taken before•crime

a public officer concerned with the administration of law

Cause / effect

Gist

Unfamiliar Words

Word Sentence What I think it means Clues that helped me

Dictionary Definition

skilly One dish was “skilly,” a foul concoction of cornmeal boiled in water.

A nasty soup-like mixture made from cornmeal

•foul•dish•concoction•cornmeal•boiled•water

a thin soup or gruel or porridge

Which of the six context clues methods (Triple C RED) and/or gist was used to determine the meaning of skilly?

Unfamiliar Words

Word Sentence What I think it means Clues that helped me

Dictionary Definition Type of context clues:1.Comparison2.Contrast3.Cause /effect4.Restatement5.Example6.Definition7.Gist

skilly One dish was “skilly,” a foul concoction of cornmeal boiled in water.

A nasty soup-like mixture made from cornmeal

•foul•dish•concoction•cornmeal•boiled•water

definitiona thin soup or gruel or porridge

Time to Practice

“Overcrowding, fetid air, poor circulation, and lack of drainage created breeding grounds for diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and typhus.”Word What I think it means Clues that helped

meType of context clues:1.Comparison2.Contrast3.Cause /effect4.Restatement5.Example6.Definition7.Gist

fetid

typhus

What type of context clue can you use?

p. 653 – The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, benevolence, were, all, my business.

What is the meaning of forbearance?

Definition: patience; leniency

Which context clue type did you use?Comparison (synonym)

What type of context clue can you use?

p. 673 – I ain’t so fond of his company that I’d loiter about him for such things….

What is the meaning of loiter?

Definition: hang around

Which context clue type did you use?Cause and effect

Six Types of Context Clues

Triple C REDC – comparison (synonym)C – contrast (antonym)C – cause and effectR – restatementE – exampleD – definition

When Triple C RED doesn’t work, try to find the gist (general idea).

Using Gist (General Idea) Clues

p. 645 - I present him to you: Ebenezer Scrooge…England’s most tightfisted hand at the grindstone. Scrooge! A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, clutching, covetous, old sinner!

What does covetous mean?

greedy; envious

Using Gist (General Idea) Clues

p. 645 – The cold within him freezes his old features, nips his pointed nose, shrivels his cheek, stiffens his gait; makes his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and speaks out shrewdly in his grating voice.

What is the meaning of (a) shrewdly and (b) grating?

a. sharply; piercingly

b. harsh; rasping

Time to Practice

“Overcrowding, fetid air, poor circulation, and lack of drainage created breeding grounds for diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and typhus.”Word Actual Definition Clues that helped

meType of context clues:1.Comparison2.Contrast3.Cause /effect4.Restatement5.Example6.Definition7.Gist

fetid having an offensive odor; stinking

•overcrowding•poor circulation•lack of draining•diseases•commas

•cause / effect•comparison•gist

typhus an acute infectious disease characterized by high fever, skin rash, and severe headache

•diseases•such as•commas

example

Exit Slip (Post-Assessment)

On the back of the index card:

1. List the six context clues types.

2. If these six don’t work, use ________.