Context clues — это подсказки, которые располагаются в предложении, абзаце, и помогают читателю понять значение новых, незнакомых или сложных, редко употребляемых, слов.
Очень часто их можно встретить в текстах для подготовки к тестам и экзаменам, которые проверяют способность понимать общий смысл, без вникания в детали и значение каждого слова. В экзаменационных текстах TOEFL, IELTS, B1 First, Cambridge Advanced, очень многие вопросы построены на умении расшифровывать context clues.
Этот полезнейший навык пригодится не только на экзаменах, а также при чтении статей, академических и художественных текстов. Поэтому каждый, кто изучает иностранный язык, должен уметь распознавать и считывать context clues.
В этой статье я расскажу, какие типы context clues бывают, мы с вами рассмотрим каждый из них на примерах, и, уже после изучения этого материала, вы сможете различать context clues в текстах и догадываться о значении новых слов из контекста не просто интуитивно, а четко понимая, какой тип context clues перед вами, и как он работает.
Содержание:
- Что такое «контекстуальные сигналы»
- Type 1: Restatement/Synonym Clues
- Type 2: Contrast/Antonym Clues
- Type 3: Definition Clues
- Type 4: Example/Explanation clues
- Type 5: Inference/General Context Clues
- Пунктуация в context clues
- Способы запоминания типов context clues
Чтобы научиться считывать context clues, нужно научиться расшифровывать то, что я называю «сигналы». Это не общепринятый термин, я использую его со своими студентами, и так обозначаю те слова или другие средства, которые указывают нам на тот или иной тип подсказок.
Сейчас мы перейдем к разбору каждого из пяти типов, и в каждом мы будем выделять их особые «сигналы».
Самый простой способ донести значение незнакомого сложного слова в контексте — упростить его или переформулировать. У каждого слова высокого уровня есть более простые слова-синонимы, или слова со схожим значением. Синонимы могут выделяться запятыми, обозначаться при помощи слова or, или приводиться в качестве примеров-однородных членов предложения, которые наведут вас на понимание значения нужного слова.
He felt remorse, or shame, for his rude behaviour.
В данном примере слово remorse схоже по значению по словом shame (стыд). К тому же после автор дает еще одну подсказку (которая относится уже к другому типу, но все равно помогает понять суть), что это чувство возникло в результате грубого поведения.
The weather was dreadful — wet, dull and cold and awful in all senses.
Если вам не знакомо прилагательное dreadful, то его значение прояснится при помощи синонима awful и ряда примеров, указывающих на характеристики погоды.
We must not perpetuate, or continue, the religious divisions of the past.
Чтобы помочь понять значение глагола perpetuate, в предложение вводится пояснение с сигнальным словом or, благодаря чему мы с вами понимаем, что perpetuate можно заменить более простым словом continue.
Иногда значение слова или фразы проясняется в контексте через противоположные значения. В этом случае слова but, however, unlike, while, и другие, выражающие контраст, подскажут вам, что это именно antonym context clue. Возможен вариант, когда автор вводит слово, выражение, или пояснение, противоположное по значению, которое проясняет для читателя значение незнакомого слова.
He had a turbulent character, unlike his wife who was shy and quiet.
Благодаря сигнальному unlike, мы понимаем, что слово turbulent противопоставляется словам shy and quiet, и выступает их антонимом.
I want to go to a tranquil place for my holiday; I am so tired of the noisy city.
В этом предложении нет сигнального слова, но по смыслу вы понимаете, что если автор от чего-то устал (в данном контексте от noisy city), то ему хочется чего-то противоположного.
Bob was so industrious, while his colleagues demonstrated laziness and very little interest in work.
В отличие от коллег, которые проявляют лень и незаинтересованность, Боб проявляет противоположную характеристику. И вам необязательно её называть и переводить, главное — что вы поняли смысл, и то, как работают Contrast or Antonym Clues.
Бывают случаи, когда слово или фраза объясняется сразу после того, как появляется в предложении. Definition — это целая фраза, которая вводится при помощи relative clause, как правило non-defining, который выделяется запятыми. Часто при помощи таких подсказок «расшифровывают» значения существительных и терминов, но и глаголы с прилагательными — не исключение.
Our school introduced continuous assessment, which is a form of educational examination that evaluates a student’s progress throughout a prescribed course.
После слова which поясняется, что такое continuous assessment, и дается полная расшифровка, определение термина.
After the flight we suffered from fatigue, which meant we were extremely tired as a result of physical exertion.
Definition вводится фразой which meant (это значило), и мы можем понять, что слово fatigue обозначает чрезмерную усталость.
The college informed me that I was eligible, so I could enter the course, which made me happy.
В этом предложении даётся не полное определение, а его часть, и читателю нужно додумать, что eligible обозначает то, что абитуриент может поступить на курс. А слово which, которое служило сигналом в предыдущих примерах, не имеет здесь своей сигнальной функции и не относится к этому типу подсказки.
Этот способ контекстуальной подсказки предполагает мышление от частного к общему (если общее — это незнакомое слово) или от общего к частному. Иногда текст даёт два или больше примеров, которые иллюстрируют неизвестное понятие, и чтобы догадаться, что оно обозначает, нужно уметь систематизировать и обобщать информацию. Отличие этого способа от синонимов в том, что пример не может заменить собой целевое слово, а представляет из себя более узкое понятие в категории, один из вариантов.
Сигналами могут служить однородные члены предложения — примеры, которые помогают вам понять значение незнакомого слова.
Nocturnal creatures such as owls and bats always scare me.
Что общего у сов и летучих мышей? Это существа, которые активны ночью. Вот так, при помощи анализа примеров, мы можем догадаться о значении слова nocturnal.
Sun, moon, stars and other celestial bodies move according to certain laws.
В этом предложении используется та же логика, что и в предыдущем: мы делаем вывод на основе систематизации и нахождения общего. Солнце, луна, звезды — это небесные тела.
Это более продвинутый вид контекстуальных подсказок, потому что он предполагает, что читатель сможет заключить и сделать вывод о значении незнакомого слова по общему смыслу, примерам, которые присутствуют в предложении, в абзаце или в целом тексте.
Это более сложный вариант, когда нужно включать логику, и именно поэтому его так любят составители тестов. Например, в части Reading на TOEFL iBT есть отдельный тип вопросов, который проверяет именно умение делать выводы из более широкого, общего контекста.
Сигналами здесь будут служить слова, указывающие на причину, цель либо на результат: so, because, that’s why и другие.
He is so gregarious; he would talk non-stop, about anything. Yesterday we got tired of it.
По контексту понятно, что человек много говорит, и утомляет этим собеседников. Из этого можно сделать вывод (infer) о значении слова gregarious.
The day was so sweltering that I had to take off my jacket.
Если человек снял пиджак (а не надел), значит sweltering обозначает что-то вроде hot — такая логика должна быть при анализе этого предложения.
She is very compassionate, because she volunteers for some NGOs, you can always ask her for help and she will eagerly give you a hand.
Значение прилагательного compassionate раскрывается в пояснениях после слова because: человек готов помочь, занимается волонтерством, и, даже если вы не можете отыскать точного перевода слова, вы уже понимаете, что оно обозначает.
Обратите внимание, что часто авторы используют пунктуацию или другие приемы выделения на письме, чтобы обозначить context clues разных типов:
- кавычки (quotation marks) могут показывать, что у слово есть специальное, возможно, переносное значение;
- скобки (brackets) и дефисы (dashes) заключают определение или примеры;
- курсив (italics) чтобы выделить какое-либо слово или определение.
И еще хочу обратить ваше внимание, что в предложении могут сочетаться context clues разных типов. Например, synonym + example или antonym + definition. Вариации могут быть любые, ведь авторы используют разные средства в текстах.
Мы рассмотрели 5 типов context clues, и в объяснении я расположила их от простого к сложному. Но сейчас, когда вы усвоили разницу между ними, хочу напоследок поделиться полезным приемом для их запоминания.
Чтобы в любой момент вы могли вспомнить, какие типы контекстуальных подсказок бывают, запомните акроним LEADS:
- L (Logic) — Inference Clues — вы опираетесь на общий контекст и догадываетесь о смысле слова.
- E (Example) — Example Clues — однородные члены предложения подсказывают вам, что обозначает незнакомое, обобщающее их слово.
- A (Antonyms) — Contrast Clues — вы понимаете значение слова, за счет анализа антонимов.
- D (Definition) — Definition Clues — в предложении приводится определение слова.
- S (Synonyms) — Restatement Clues — незнакомое слово перефразируется и упрощается за счет знакомых вам слов-синонимов.
Теперь, читая тексты при подготовке к экзамену, для работы или просто для удовольствия, вы будете без труда распознавать contect clues разных типов, догадываться о значениях незнакомых слов по контексту, без словаря.
А отработать ваши новые знания и умения на практике можно на персональных занятиях в ENGINFORM. Теперь у нас действует не только предложение курсов, но и новая уникальная услуга — МОНО-УРОК.
Это индивидуальное занятие длительностью 90 минут, на котором вы от и до разбираете нужную вам тему. Узнайте больше о формате моно-урока и попробуйте! Теперь не нужно покупать целый курс, чтобы разобраться с одной непонятной темой.
Надеюсь, сегодняшнее объяснение вам понравилось.
Напишите мне в комментариях, насколько эта статья была полезна для вас, и получается ли у вас находить context clues в текстах.
Увидели ошибку в тексте? Выделите её и нажмите на появившуюся стрелку или CTRL+Enter.
In reading and listening, a context clue is a form of information (such as a definition, synonym, antonym, or example) that appears near a word or phrase and offers direct or indirect suggestions about its meaning.
Context clues are more commonly found in nonfiction texts than in fiction, although they are sometimes found in children’s literature, often with the goal of building readers’ vocabulary. Words can have multiple meanings, so being able to infer the correct definition from context is a valuable reading comprehension skill.
Types of Context Clues
One way to learn new words is through the context of the words around them. We infer the meaning of these words from what’s going on or what has already been established in the text. Clues for deciphering a word’s meaning can be rendered in the form of anything from a subtle hint to a straight-out explanation, definition, or illustration. Context clues can also take the form of synonyms, antonyms, word-structure clues, comparisons (such as metaphors and similes), and contrasts. For example:
Synonym context clues offer words nearby with the same meaning:
- Synonym: The annual bazaar is scheduled for the last day of school. It’s always a fun festival.
- Synonym: «That charlatan!» he cried. «That absolute fake!»
Antonym context clues offer nearby words with opposite meanings.
- Antonym: «You look pretty content about it, not like you’re all bent out of shape at all,» he noted.
- Antonym: «No, no, that didn’t literally happen,» she said. «I was speaking figuratively.»
Definition context clues just spell out the meaning in a straightforward manner:
- Definition: In Britain, they call the trunk of a car the «boot.»
- Definition: «The lingerie department,» she directed the confused customer, «is where you’ll find the bras and panties.»
An explanation or illustration can also show the context of the word:
- Explanation: She looked at the random collection that had been thrown in the packing box at the last minute—from toothpaste and razors to spatulas and sticky notes. «Well, that’s quite a melange, isn’t it?» she remarked.
- Explanation: «No, no, that’s just a crane fly, not a gigantic mosquito,» he explained.
Word-structure clues are understood in two ways: a reader or listener understands a base word and a prefix (or suffix) and infers the meaning from the combination of the two, or the reader knows a word origin and upon hearing a word of similar origin, infers its meaning.
For instance, if you know that «anti-» means against, it’s easy to infer the meaning of the word «anti-establishment.»
- Word-structure: The anti-establishment protesters picketed the town hall.
Likewise, if you’re aware that a «memorial» is something in remembrance for a person who has died, you might readily intuit the meaning of the following sentence, even if you’d never previously heard the term «in memoriam.»
- Word-structure: The book was dedicated in memoriam of his father.
Comparison context clues show the meaning of a word through similarities to other items or elements, similies or metaphors:
- Comparison: He looked absolutely flummoxed, like a toddler staring down at his feet on the floor who just isn’t sure about this whole «walking» thing.
- Comparison: «No,» she said, «I’m as carefree about it as a bird floating among the clouds.»
Contrast context clues show meaning through dissimilar elements:
- Contrast: «It isn’t exactly the melee that I expected from your description,» he said. «The kids are just roughhousing a little. I expected them to be bruised and bleeding.»
- Contrast: I know she said she could reconstitute the dried fruit, but a soggy raisin just isn’t a grape.
Limitations of Context Clues
In «The Vocabulary Book: Learning and Instruction,» author Michael Graves writes:
«All in all, the descriptive research on learning from context shows that context can produce learning of word meanings and that although the probability of learning a word from a single occurrence is low, the probability of learning a word from context increases substantially with additional occurrences of the word. That is how we typically learn from context. We learn a little from the first encounter with a word and then more and more about a word’s meaning as we meet it in new and different contexts.»
Learning new words from context alone does have its limitations, as this method is not always definitive. Often, context may give a reader a general idea of a word, but not a full meaning. If the sentences in which an unknown word appears don’t clearly spell out it’s meaning, that meaning may be lost. For long-term retention, readers need to see a word multiple times. The more often an inferred definition is included, the more likely the reader will retain and understand a new word.
Sources
- Graves, Michael F. «The Vocabulary Book: Learning and Instruction.» Teachers College Press, 2006
Published August 15, 2022
When you come across an unfamiliar word while reading, how do you try to understand its meaning? Chances are you use context clues—even if you’ve never heard of that term.
Faced with a sea of unfamiliar words, beginning readers learn many techniques for decoding words and expanding their vocabularies. Teachers use the term decoding to refer to the ability to see a written word and read it aloud.
Looking for context clues is one technique that is helpful for readers of all ages and experience levels. But how can you identify a context clue?
What are context clues?
The term context clues is used as a way of referring to the bits of information within a text that can serve as hints to help a reader understand the meaning of an unfamiliar or unusual word or passage. In effect, context clues can be anything that helps you to figure out or guess the meaning of a word or passage when you’re unsure of its meaning. Context clues can be part of the same sentence or they may be part of the text that comes before or follows. Because most of our vocabulary is gained through reading, it is important that we are able to recognize and take advantage of context clues.
WATCH: Words Bookworms Mispronounce Because We Read Them First
What does a context clue look like?
There are at least four kinds of context clues that are quite common:
- Synonym (or repeat context clue): An author will use more than one word that means the same thing. For example, there may be a complex word followed by a restatement using a simpler word in the same or following sentence: Felipe is a miser. He’s always been a cheapskate.
- Antonym (or contrast context clue): The text may include a word or words that have the opposite meaning, which can reveal the meaning of an unknown term: Stella has always dressed flamboyantly. I’ve never seen her wear a dull color.
- Explanation (or a definition context clue): An unknown word is explained within the sentence or in the sentence immediately after: On Friday, we visited the arboretum, a garden dedicated to the exhibition of trees and plants.
- Specific example (or an example context clue): The text provides one or more examples used to define the term: The children were able to observe several crustaceans, including crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.
There may also be word-part context clues in which a common prefix, suffix, or root will suggest at least part of the meaning of a word.
A general sense context clue lets the reader puzzle out a word meaning from whatever information is available—and this is the most common kind of context clue. The relationships between words are not directly obvious and instead implied.
Others describe context clues in three ways:
- semantic or meaning clues: For example, when reading a story about cats, the reader will have the expectation that it will contain words associated with cats.
- syntactic or word order clues: The order of the words in a sentence can indicate what part of speech a missing word must be (for example, a verb).
- picture clues: From an early age, beginning readers are taught to look at illustrations to help with the identification of a word.
contributed by Kathy Glass
We often ask students to use context clues to figure out a word’s meaning. That makes it is our job as teachers to formally teach how authors use them.
In doing so, students become armed with an inventory of ways (such as reading response questions) to access unknown words to help gain a deeper meaning of the text. Without awareness of the types of context clues, students are at a disadvantage to decipher meanings for themselves.
Teaching this skill supports self-agency so students can define unfamiliar words independently. The following are devices that authors use to incorporate context clues into their writing. The point is not that students memorize each type of context clue. It is more that they come to understand that authors give hints in all kinds of ways to help readers figure out what words mean so they are alert to these devices.
Although the following list seems straightforward, neat and tidy, demonstrate to students to read the surrounding passage in which unfamiliar words appear. This helps readers infer a word’s meaning and appreciate the entire passage where the word resides.
7 Strategies For Using Context Clues In Reading
1. Word Parts
The idea: Break down the different parts of a word—base word (word stem or root word), prefixes, and suffixes—to figure out what it means. Some words have a prefix only (reread), a suffix only (reading), both a prefix and a suffix (prereading), a combination (unreadableness), or neither (read).
Discrimination
Dis-: not, opposite of, reverse, deprive of; apart, away
crimin: verdict, judicial decision; judgment
tion: indicates the word is a noun
2. Definition/explanation
The idea: Look for a definition or an explanation within the sentence.
• Discrimination or unfairly targeting one or more groups by those who perceive themselves to be superior can cause distress.
• Vulnerable people are oftentimes in need of protection under certain laws so others cannot take advantage of them.
3. Synonym
The idea: Words next to the unknown word can be a clue that there is a synonym.
• Discrimination or bias can cause distress toward the targeted group.
• When people know they are vulnerable or defenseless, they tend to protect themselves to avoid harm.
4. Example
The idea: Providing examples of the unknown word can give readers a clue to meaning.
• Like shunning smokers in restaurants by making them satisfy their habit outside, discrimination targets a perceived undesirable group.
• Vulnerable people, such as young children, the elderly, or handicapped individuals, might have protections under certain laws.
5. Antonym/contrast
The idea: opposite information about the unknown word can be offset by words and phrases such as unlike, as opposed to, different from.
• Discrimination, as opposed to fairness for all people, can have damaging effects on a targeted group.
• Vulnerable people, unlike those who can stand up for themselves, tend to be the target of unethical or dangerous individuals.
6. Analogy
The idea: Comparisons of the word help to determine what it means.
• The ill effects of discrimination are like hateful, wicked tendrils gripping the heart.
• Vulnerable people can be like fragile glass in need of care and attention.
7. Appositive
The idea: Look for the grammatical structure of appositives which can provide a definition, synonym, or example.
• Discrimination, the act of showing bias to one group, can have damaging effects.
• The elderly and handicapped, a vulnerable group of individuals, have laws to protect them from unethical individuals.
Once students identify the context clue, orchestrate activities for students to learn the word so they can use it when speaking and within their writing. Students can complete the graphic organizer in Figure A individually or with pairs for several words using online and print resources.
Figure A: 4-Square Graphic Organizer
An excellent source is vocabulary.com which provides explanations and examples of words. Students can also use the organizer as a game by completing only some of the quadrants and asking classmates to use the context clues on the figure to complete the others.
Figure B provides three different options that can be assigned as an in-class or homework assignment. Adapt the tasks so students use the words expressly associated with the targeted complex text.
Figure B: Short Writing Task Options
Examples
• Intolerable/compromise: The situation between the twin boys became so intolerable that their parents demanded they go to their bedroom until they could reach a compromise.
• Ostentatious/wary: Mr. Smith’s banker was wary of the ostentatious shoes his client was wearing because he knew that his bank account could not support such a lavish lifestyle.
Quick Writes
1. Choose the sentence frame that best fits each word you select or create your own frames
• makes me think of a time when . . .
• makes me think of the color ___ because . . .
• reminds me of ___ because . . .
• is used to describe because . . .
• If I were to paint a picture of ___, I’d paint . . .
2. Create examples and non-examples of your selected words
Examples for diversity
• The United States is home to people from different cultures and backgrounds.
• The United Nations is comprised of representatives from all over the world.
• A mall’s food court includes food from different countries.
Non-examples of diversity
• An all-women’s school
• A board of directors for a company composed entirely of one gender or race
• Before Civil Rights laws, public schools in the South admitted only white students.
Conclusion
Authors do not always provide context clues throughout the text because they might have the assumption that readers come to the text knowing the meaning of certain words. However, when these clues are present, equipping students with the tools to use them productively positions them well to further their reading comprehension.
Adapted from Complex Text Decoded: How to Design Lessons and Use Strategies That Target Authentic Texts by Kathy T. Glass (ASCD, 2015).
Kathy Glass consults nationally with schools and districts, presents at conferences, and teaches seminars for university and county programs delivering customized professional development. A former master teacher, she has been in education for more than 25 years and works with administrators and teachers in groups of varying sizes from kindergarten through high school. She is the author of Complex Text Decoded: How to Design Lessons and Use Strategies That Target Authentic Texts. Connect with Kathy through her website, www.kathyglassconsulting.com.
While reading some novel or article, we sometimes come across a text or para that is quite confusing or we do not what exactly is going on.
What are Context Clues?
Context clues are basically the hints for specific content – to understand the meaning of the content that is hidden in the plain yet twisted text. Context clues can be used to explain a passage, paragraph, or individual statements.
With the help of context clues, we can essential information about the phrases or words that are used in the content. This directly or indirectly helps the reader to understand the meaning of the paragraph. Moreover, the context clues provide insights into the specific portion of the text that is generally difficult to understand. Sometimes even the title of a piece or the illustrations that come with it offers context clues, as well. These clues are really beneficial in learning the meaning of unfamiliar words in a unique way.
When You Should Use Context Clues?
We now know that context clues are very valuable tools which provide assistance in understanding the contextual writing. You can make use of context clues while reading some articles, or novels or some news clipping.
Let’s have a look at 5 different types of context clues and use them in sentences.
1. Synonym or Restatement Clues
In this type of context clue, the author is conveying the same thing twice. Initially, in a difficult way and then in a simple way. This can often happen in the same sentence itself. In case you do not understand a particular word then you just keep reading it one or more times to understand the flow of the sentence.
Sentence Example
- Miguel was very loquacious. He really loved to talk.
- The rambunctious kids ran out to the bus and climbed on board. They jumped and yelled and just couldn’t settle down.
- It was a frigid winter night; even the lake was frozen solid.
2. Antonym or Contrast Clues
In this type of context clue, the author provides the hints of the meaning of the words or paragraphs and tries to explain what it is about. Generally, the word “but” will be used in the sentence that will show the opposite thought and how it is presented.
Sentence Example:
- This painting of the landscape is picturesque, while one of the old houses is just plain ugly.
- The feral cat would not let us pet him, unlike our friendly cat.
3. Definition or Explanation Clues
This is the simplest form of context clue, where the literal meaning of the word is given to the reader but in the form of explanation. Sometimes the author will add very specific words to tell us an explanation is upcoming. These can include phrases like “which means” or “that is” or “in other words.”
Sentence Example:
- The dates are listed in chronological order; they start at the beginning and end with the last event.
- The doctor’s writing was utterly illegible; no one could read those scribbles.
4. General or Inference clues
These context clues are a bit subtle. They encourage the readers to look beyond the sentence of the content they are reading.
Sentence Example:
- Nikola Tesla was an enigmatic figure. His inventions contribute to many of the modern conveniences that we use to this day. But, he also had visions, thought that he could speak with beings on Mars, and died a pauper.
5. Punctuation or Font clues
In this type of context clues, the clues itself are hidden in the capitalization, italicization, quotation marks, and even parentheses. With these, you can understand that the clues tell the reader that the word could be a name, a book title, or even the word is being defined for us.
Sentence Example:
- Terri retained – kept – the keys to the old mansion.
- The ancient clock only rang once in a millennium (a thousand years).
we hope that this quick guide gave you a detailed overview on different types of context clues with their sentence examples.
Stay tuned to EnglishBix for more resources.
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Context clues are integral to how we make sense of things. But what are context clues? And why are context clues important? We’re going to break down context clues in sentences and situations so that you can see why they’re such an important element of empiricism; or how we come to know the world through senses. Hah! That’s an example of “context clues” in action. Follow along as we break down strategies for how they work.
Context Clues Meaning
First, let’s define context clues
How do we make sense of the world? Through intuition certainly, but through context as well. Context is how we know books can be found in libraries and cold cuts can be found in delis. It’s also how we know words can be understood, even if we lack their definition. This video breaks down how context clues are used to deduce syntax.
What are Context Clues? • Using Context Clues to Figure Out New Words by Khan Academy
Context clues are essential tools for writers, readers, and pretty much anybody interested in making sense of the world. But before we jump into some context clues examples, let’s first define context clues.
What are context clues?
Context clues are elements of grammatical and visual composition that suggest meaning. In syntax, context clues give readers the ability to make sense of words of which they don’t know the meaning. In semiotics, context clues give people the ability to make sense of signs of which they don’t know the meaning.
Purpose of Context Clues:
- Suggest meaning
- Conceal meaning
- Explain meaning
Context Clues Types
What are context clues in grammar?
There are a bunch of different strategies for using context clues in grammar; let’s break down a few!
Synonym
A synonym is a word or phrase that means something similar to another word or phrase. For example, “sick” and “ill” are synonyms. But how do you use context clues in a sentence? Synonyms are also used as context clues to suggest meaning in words that aren’t often understood.
Here are some examples:
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She was a callous woman: mean, malicious, and inconsiderate.
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It was mezzanotte – the clock struck the signal to midnight.
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He was cantankerous: angry and always looking for a fight.
You may be wondering, “why don’t writers just use words that most people understand?” Good question. There’s certainly merit to writing in simple language – but writers want to flex their linguistic muscle.
Antonym
An antonym is a word or phrase that means the opposite of another word or phrase. For example, “sick” and “healthy” are antonyms.
Antonyms, like synonyms, are also used as context clues to suggest meaning in words that aren’t often understood.
Here are some examples:
-
It was a brutish afternoon, quite unlike the sunny ones the week prior.
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He found the latter lecture esoteric – but the former too simplistic; something anybody could understand.
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The scene was bedlam, ironic considering it was supposed to be quiet and serene.
Antonyms tend to flow better than synonyms in syntax because they rely on contrast.
Denotation
A denotation is a “dictionary definition.” For example, a denotation of “hat” would be a “clothing item worn on the head.”
Denotations are used as context clues to outwardly explain what certain words mean.
Here are a few examples:
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He had already signed an affidavit, a legal written statement for use in court.
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It was accidental, as in “not done on purpose.”
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The story was salacious, showing a special interest in sex.
Denotations work best when writers would rather tell the writer what a word means rather than suggesting it.
Context Clues Definition in Visual Language
What are context clues in semiotics?
Context clues are used in semiotics to give meaning to the visual world. But what is semiotics? Semiotics is the study of objects and signs. It’s essentially what tells us that a four-leaf clover means “good luck.” However, semiotics is often built through context clues.
Here are some examples:
Context clues lead to a conclusion
In life, sometimes things are exactly what you’d expect. For example, say you leave your rambunctious dog home alone for six hours, then find a ripped-up pillow when you return; it’s fair to say that the dog probably destroyed the pillow.
The context clues, i.e., the “rambunctious” nature of the dog and the implied fact that dogs sometimes rip pillows apart when, tell us that the most likely reason for the event is that the dog destroyed the pillow.
This type of critical reasoning is abductive because it “takes away” the most likely reason for an event based on a series of observations.
Consequently, deductive reasoning is a form of critical reasoning in which a reason must be guaranteed by the set of observations. For example: if a hat is a clothing item worn on a head, and you’re wearing a clothing item on your head, then you’re wearing a hat. The context clues, i.e., the denotation of “hat” and the fact that you’re wearing something that matches the denotation of “hat,” guarantee the validity.
This strategy is used in writing… most commonly in mystery stories. Think about any “whodunnit” story; i.e., Sherlock Holmes, Murder on the Orient Express, Scooby Doo, etc.
In this clip from Murder on the Orient Express, Hercule Poirot (Albert Finney), outlines the context clues that add up to an iconic deduction.
What Does Context Clues Mean? • Context Clues in Murder on the Orient Express
It is merely through context clues, such as the language that Mary Debenham (Vanessa Redgrave) used and the selective memory of Colonel Arburthnott (Sean Connery), that Poirot was able to tell that everybody was lying.
Context clues lead to a false-conclusion
Other times, context clues lead to a false-conclusion. They may be valid as premises in a deduction; but they don’t necessarily reflect the truth. We see this strategy used a lot in comedy writing.
This scene from Seinfeld establishes a series of context clues that point to Kramer (Michael Richards) being a pimp. Of course, he’s not – but the characters in the diegesis don’t know that. Check it out below!
Context Clues Definition in TV • Context Clues Examples in Seinfeld
Let’s break down the context clues:
1) The jacket is a replica of the “technicolor dreamcoat” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; one of Kramer’s favorite plays.
2) The cane is an item Elaine was reviewing for work; which Kramer took.
3) The hat merely landed before Kramer’s feet, so he decided to put it on.
4) The sports car is borrowed as collateral because Kramer’s car was taken from a parking lot used for prostitution.
All of these context clues point to Kramer being a pimp. In a cruel twist of irony, Kramer is whisked, or quickly taken away, to jail.
Up Next
What is Inductive Reasoning?
Context clues are a small, but integral part of critical reasoning. Want to learn more about critical reasoning? Check out our next article on inductive reasoning, where we break down the term with examples from Plato, Monty Python, and more. By the end, you’ll know what inductive reasoning is and how to use it.
Up Next: Inductive Reasoning →
Word context clues are an effective way to build your vocabulary. Context is 
the sentence or phrase in which the word is found, and understanding the sentence’s general meaning helps to understand a word that is unfamiliar to you. Writers, unconsciously or consciously, often include context clues to the meaning of words they use but think that some of their readers may not know. The context clue is to be found in the sentence or the paragraph in which the word is used.
How to Use Word Context Clues to Build your Vocabulary
Here are some ways that you find the meaning of a word using word context clues. Word context clues are a very useful way for the English language learner to work out the meaning of the word:
Definition context clue
Sometimes, a definition appears alongside the word.
Repetition of meaning context clue.
A sentence will contain the word and will be followed by another sentence saying the same thing in a simpler way. For example:
‘Joe was very dexterous and therefore the most fantastic sculptor. He was so good with his hands that every piece that he carved was detailed and perfect.’
Synonym context clue
A synonym is used to help the reader understand the meaning of a word, as it means the same as or nearly the same as the word that is unfamiliar to the English language student.
‘Mary was incredibly ambitious and it was this strong desire and determination to succeed that made her the best in her field’.
Antonym context clue
An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word and can also provide a clue to word meaning.
‘Mary was ambitious, but Fred was lazy and therefore never excelled in his field.’
Description context clue
Other groupings of words which together provide the English language learners understanding of a word can also work. Let’s look at the word ‘vivacious” to describe Mary – we get what that means when we hear this:
‘Mary was attractive, lively and animated and her presence demanded your attention.’
Visual context clue
When you are using this context clue, you are relying on a picture, or another type of image, along with some kind of related text to help you to understand the meaning of a word. For example, a picture of an angry man and its caption will help you understand that “Fred Mason reacted angrily to the journalist’s questions”.
The importance of using context clues in building your vocabulary cannot be underestimated, and you can learn new words when they are used in the contexts that we have described above.
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