We can use context clues of definition and explanation to figure out what a word means.
A definition or explanation directly states or explains a word’s meaning.
Definition: "Adverbs, words that describe or add information to verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, should be used sparingly." The part highlighted in yellow defines -- right there in the sentence what adverbs are. That is a context clue of definition.
Example: Please select contemporary realistic fiction books, such as Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli or Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, for your next book-of-the-month book. The part highlighted in yellow provides examples -- right there in the sentence -- of contemporary realistic fiction books.
Example: Contemporary realistic fiction books, including Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech and Tangerine by Edward Bloor, would be appropriate for your next book-of-the-month book. The part highlighted in yellow provides examples -- right there in the sentence -- of contemporary realistic fiction books.
Definition: "Some species of frogs have become extinct. They have
completely disappeared from the face of the Earth." The highlighted part explains what it means to become extinct. I found this sentence at www.pearson.com.au/LinkedFiles/Free/.../COTCE.pdf
Definition: "The zebra’s stripes are an example of a kind of camouflage called disruptive coloration. It is called disruptive because it disrupts—or breaks up—the outline
of the animal." The highlighted portion defines the word "disrupts." I found this sentence at www.pearson.com.au/LinkedFiles/Free/.../COTCE.pdf
The following chart is borrowed from Prentice Hall's Literature New Mexico All-In-One (NM-Gr11-A10.pdf)
Context Clue Guidelines
Use this table as a reference tool in using common context clues to figure out the
meaning of new words.
Type of Context Clue | Look/Listen for… |
General: You’ll want to buy a monitor with the best resolution you can get. After all, do you really want to risk having your graphics or video look grainy or blurry? | clues to meaning that often appear over several sentences |
Definition: The term “conventional keyboard” usually refers to the design that features the letters QWERTY in the upper left. | linking verbs such as is or means, or for appositives, phrases that name a noun (there’s one in this sentence) |
Example: As a shopper, be on the lookout for deals that already include peripherals such as a keyboard or mouse. | signal words such as like, such as, including, and for example |
Synonym: A Website’s front page is usually linked to the site’s domain name. Also called a “home page,” it often includes a search function for the site. | signal words such as likewise, also, too, and as |
Antonym: I expected downloading to be fast, but it took forever to save the e-mailed photos to my computer. | signal words such as on the other hand, however, although, and in contrast |
