CAPITOL UNIVERSITY

Cagayan de Oro City

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON PACKET

SUBJECT: English for Academic and Professional Purposes

ESSENTIAL TOPICS: Context Clues
Word Structure LESSON CODE:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
a. recognize the meaning of a word using context clues;
b. identify the meaning of a word through an analysis of its structure

DISCUSSION

Vocabulary refers to the collection of words that a person knows and uses. Vocabulary
development is the process of acquiring new words. The size of a child’s vocabulary between
preschool and first grade is often a strong indicator of their reading comprehension in later grades.
That’s why it’s so important to focus on building vocabulary skills throughout reading instruction. There
are different strategies that we can use in enhancing reading skills.

Why do you think improving one’s vocabulary is important?

According to Steven Stahl (2005), “Vocabulary knowledge is knowledge; the knowledge of a

word not only implies a definition, but also implies how that word fits into the world.” We continue to
develop vocabulary throughout our lives. Words are powerful. Words open up possibilities, and of
course, that’s what we want for all of our students.

Context clues are hints that the author gives to help define a difficult or unusual word.
The clue may appear within the same sentence as the word to which it refers, or it may follow in a
preceding sentence.

There are at least three kinds of context clues that are quite common:

1. 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 cheap.
2. 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.

3. General Clues: Making sense of a word’s meaning by largely depending on your common
sense requires you to use knowledge and experience. For example: The monkey’s vociferous
chatter made me wish. I had earplugs.
A. Synonym or Definition Clues

In definition clues, the meaning of an unfamiliar word is given in the sentence if a similar word is
also used to make the meaning clearer. Signal words for synonym clues are or, in other words,
that is, by this we mean, that is to say, and also known as.

The most basic, and perhaps helpful, type of context clues are synonyms. If you can't decipher a
meaning, adding a few synonyms, or words with similar meanings, is a surefire way to point to a
word's meaning. Let's take a look at a few examples:

The manager wanted a weekly inspection, which is a methodical examination of all the
equipment.

Diane was lethargic; she didn't have the energy to get out of bed.

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.

She heard the cry of the banshee, a spirit that alludes to the death of a family member.

He knew his future was precarious and likely to fall apart.

B. Antonym or Contrast Clues

In antonym or contrast clues, the meaning of an unfamiliar word is given in the sentence if an
opposite word is used to suggest the meaning. Signal words for antonym clues are but, however,
on the other hand, nevertheless, yet, and in contrast.

Sometimes, the best way to understand something is to understand what not to do or what
something isn't. In the same way, an antonym, or an opposite, can convey meaning. If you point
out the differences, you can come to understand each component better.

Marty is gregarious, unlike his brother who is quiet and shy.

This painting of the landscape is picturesque, while the one of the old house is just plain ugly.

The feral cat would not let us pet him, unlike our friendly cat.

Our sweltering summer days were quickly replaced by the cold flashes of fall.

She was virtuous, unlike her evil and conniving brother.

C. General Clues

These types of context clues are a little more subtle. They usually require readers to look
beyond the sentence they’re reading for understanding, sometimes even at the entire passage,
the topic of the piece or the illustrations. If other, more specific context clues are missing, looking
for inference clues is your child’s best bet.

Paul knew he just made a cultural faux pas when he kissed the Muslim woman on the cheek
and he was met with a dead, stunned stare!

Coyotes have a voracious appetite. They eat insects, lizards, snakes, rabbits, squirrels, grasses
and even fruit.
You should be able to analyze word structure so that you will understand many English words. A
word in the English language may have three parts: the prefix, the root word, and the suffix.

1. Prefix is a letter or a group of letters attached to the beginning of a word (or word root)
that partly indicates its meaning. For example, the word prefix itself begins with the
prefix pre-, which generally means "before" or "in front of."

2. Suffixes are a letter or group of letters added to the ending of words to change their
meaning or function. It usually change a word from one form or part of speech to
another form.

3. Root word is a word or word part that can form the basis of new words through the
addition of prefixes and suffixes. Understanding the meanings of common roots can
help you work out the meanings of new words as you encounter them.