a.
Synonym and Definition
Sometimes a definition or synonym in
the sentence serves as the context clue. This is the easiest type of context
clue because the author simply tells readers what a word means. Authors often
alert readers that a definition is coming by introducing it with phrases such
as is defined as, means, is known as, the term, and is called. Sometimes the
definition or the term is set off by punctuation marks, such as commas or
dashes. The definition may also follow a colon (:) or it may be enclosed in
parentheses ( ) or brackets [ ]. Sometimes the definition or term appears in
quotation marks. Because textbook authors want to make sure readers pay
attention to important terms, they often put them in special print, such as
bold print, italics, or color. Watch for words in special print, and take
advantage of definitions and synonyms authors include for them.
b.
Example Clue
Example clues consist of one or more
examples that authors include to illustrate the meaning of the unfamiliar word.
Examples are typically introduced by for example, to illustrate, for instance,
such as, and like. Remember, though, that an example is not the same as the
definition. Rather, the example is simply a clue that can help you reason out
the meaning of an unknown word. If there is more than one example, try to
determine what the examples have in common.
c.
Comparison and Contrast Clue
A contrast clue consists of a word or
phrase that means the opposite of the word we are trying to figure out. Watch
for words that signal a contrast: but on the other hand, nevertheless, yet, in
contrast, some . . . others, to name a few. Find the word or words in the
sentence that mean the opposite of the word whose meaning we are trying to
deduce, and then think of the opposite of that word. This sounds complicated,
but the following example will make the strategy clear.
d.
General Sense of the Sentence
The general sense of the sentence can
also help us figure out the meaning of an unknown word. In this case, we call
on our own prior knowledge and experience. When readers ask themselves, what is the most appropriate word
to substitute the unfamiliar word. We have to make sense between surrounded
information and our sense. We have to combine between our sense and the information
and of course, it should be rationally.
e.
Clue From Another Sentence
Sometimes authors include information
in another sentence in the paragraph that allows us to determine the meaning of
an unfamiliar word. The other sentence can come before or after the one with
the unknown word, so it is a good idea to keep reading when we encounter an
unfamiliar word. By jumping back and connect the unfamiliar word with the other
sentence or word. We will find out the information that we need to inference
the meaning of unfamiliar word.