What Are Context Clues?
Jennifer Partrick
May 25, 2009
Often, teachers teach their students to use context by looking for words around the unknown word. However, there are other strategies that teachers can share with their students in order to help them discover the meaning of unknown words.
A Clear Definition or Synonym
The writer gives an explanation of the words or uses a known word to support meaning of the unknown word.
Example:
Geriatric is a term that refers to old or elderly people. New and innovative residences are being constructed to support the increasing number of geriatric clients.
Concrete Examples
Writers provide examples that make the meaning of the unknown word clear. The example may be found before the unknown word or after it.
Example:
Geriatric individuals, old people, often move to warmer climates to retire.
Old people, geriatric individuals, often move to warmer climates to retire.
Contrast Clues:
Writers make the meaning of the unknown word clear by providing the opposite meaning of the word.
Example:
Most geriatric people, unlike the younger generation, enjoy a quieter and less hectic life style.
Words or Phrases that Modify the Unknown Word
Authors sometimes use modifiers, like adverbs, adjectives, or relative clauses, which contain clues to help make the meaning of the unknown word clear.
Example:
In certain towns in Florida, I encountered large numbers of geriatric people walking slowly, some bent over from arthritis, enjoying the warm sunshine.
Repetitions of a Word
Another strategy that writers use is to repeat the word in familiar and new situations. Doing this allows the reader to construct meaning based on what they already know.
Example:
I was surprised at the number of geriatric individuals I noticed as I walked to work. Geriatrics using walkers, motorized chairs, or canes enjoyed the warm sunshine as they sipped their morning coffee.
Unstated or Implied Meanings:
Often, readers can determine the unknown word meaning by looking at the situation in which the word appears or by drawing on prior knowledge.
Example:
I was surprised to see the number of geriatric residents when I took my morning run. They sat in the warm sunshine and played checkers, chatted with each other, and fed the birds. No doubt they too thought that a warmer climate would be more enjoyable as they looked for a quieter life after retirement.
Helping our students become familiar with the different types of context clues will support them as they read and interact with text.
Reference:
Robb, Laura. (2003). Teaching Reading in Social Studies, Science, and Math. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
See the Learning-Focused Literacy Collection for more information.
