Constructing Meaning

Through Context
Anum Aziz
Humanities and Social Sciences
Bahria University, Islamabad
 Introduction
The construction of meaning through the
context refers to the activity of using ‘context
clues’ to reach the general meaning or idea of a
word. This activity helps increase vocabulary
and enhances quick reading as one is not
constantly consulting a dictionary.
 Context
A context refers to the circumstances that form
the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and
in terms of which it can be fully understood. It
can also be the parts of something written or
spoken that immediately precede and follow a
word or passage and clarify its meaning.
 Prior Knowledge
Prior knowledge is the information we carry
around with us, and all the previous
experiences we call up when reading. For
example, when we read a book about sea
turtles, we recall everything we already know
about the subject of turtles and related topics
like the ocean and reptiles.
 Context Clues
• The meaning of a word can often be gleaned from clues in the
surrounding context. What comes before and after a new word can
reveal its meaning, structure, and use. Context clues are hints in the
surrounding text which help in making the meaning of a new word
clear.
• Context clues provide readers with enough information to deduce or
make an educated guess about the meaning of a word.
• Context clues mean we don't have to check a dictionary for every
new word thus allowing us to continue reading with less disruption.
• Clues are generally in the same sentence as the new word and the
sentences around it too.
• Clues can be found by thinking about how the word is used in the
sentence.
• Clues can also be found by thinking about the main idea and details
of the story.
 Context Clues
When faced with a word we don't know, especially
when reading, we often use the context in which the
word is used to determine its meaning.
Take, for example, this quote from The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain,
'The Widow Douglas she took me for her son, and
allowed she would sivilize me; but it was rough living
in the house all the time, considering how dismal
regular and decent the widow was in all her ways; and
so when I couldn't stand it no longer I lit out.'
 Different Types of Context Clues

Root word and Affix: People who study birds are experts in
ornithology
Contrast: Unlike mammals, birds incubate their eggs outside
their bodies
Logic: Birds are always on the lookout for predators that
might hurt their young
Definition: birds prefer eating fruit to any other kind of food

Example or Illustration: Some birds like to build their nests

in inconspicuous spots – high up in the tops of trees, well
hidden by leaves
Grammar: Many birds migrate twice each year
Questions that need to be asked in order to understand
the meaning of a word in context
What is the overall intent of the text? For example, is it
about science or history?
Is the text factual or a work of fiction?

What is the genre?

What other words in the sentence or paragraph can

provide information?
What clues does the punctuation provide?
In a compact mass the gigantic savages rushed upon our hero,
shrieking with rage and brandishing their huge clubs. Ned stood
his ground fearlessly, his back to a banana tree. With a sweep of his
cutlass he severed the head of the leading savage from his body,
while with a back stroke of his dirk he stabbed another to the heart.
But resistance against such odds was vain. By sheer weight of
numbers, Ned was borne to the ground. His arms were then
pinioned with stout ropes made of the fibers of the boo – booda
tree. With shrieks of exultation the savages dragged our hero to an
opening in the woods where a huge fire was burning, over which
was suspended an enormous cauldron of bubbling oil.