Context Clues

context clue is a phrase, or even a single word, that illuminates the author's intended meaning
by providing context. The main types of clues are used: direct definitions, synonyms, antonyms,
and inferences

Example Clues: Specific examples sometimes provide readers with clues about the unknown
word. Cued by the phrases “such as,” “including,” “consists of,” “like,” and “for example.”
Synonym or Definition Clues A synonym or definition of the word may be used in the sentence
to help readers understand unfamiliar words.
Antonym or Contrast Clues: On the other hand, antonyms or contrasts are sometimes provided
to give readers helpful clues.

What Are Context Clues?

Have you ever been reading a book and come across a word you didn't know? So you keep
re-reading the sentence to try to make out the meaning of the word? Authors know that learning
new vocabulary can be difficult, especially if you don't have access to a dictionary. They assist
the reader by using context clues, which are particular words or phrases in writing that will shed
light on the meaning of certain words.

Authors use context clues to create hints as a way to assist the reader in defining a tough or
uncommon word. Readers can find the clue appearing within the same sentence as the word it
is providing context to, or sometimes it can be found in the following sentence. This process
allows readers to use their high-order thinking skills to construct the meaning of a word by
putting together clues found in the sentences around it. These inferences will allow readers to
make logical guesses about the meaning of many words.