using context clues to predict the meanings of unfamiliar words
TRANSCRIPT
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 ________.