Bell Ringer

Participate in Sustained Silent Reading (SSR).

If you came to class unprepared, you may borrow a book from Ms. Barker’s library, but it may NOT leave the class.

Housekeeping

• Home Learning: Books-in-a-Bag & Essays due 9/5 (A) & 9/6 (B).

• Comp. book set-up

Context Clues

Types of Context Clues

• Definition• Synonym• Antonym• Examples

• Explanation• Experience• Knowledge of

Subject

Learning New Words

The first way to figure out the meaning of a word is from its context. The context is the other words and sentences that are around the new word. When you figure out the meaning of a word from context, you are making a guess about what the word means. To do this, you use the hints and clues of the other words and sentences. You won't always be right, but many times you will be. You might not be able to guess the exact meaning of a word, but you may be close enough to get the meaning of the sentence it is in.

Synonyms & Definitions Strategy

• Check for synonyms or definitions embedded right there. If you find a synonym or definition, reread the sentence with the new term keeping that synonym or definition in mind.

Synonym and Definition Example

• "Don't think of words as separate, discrete items, or entities."

• What is the meaning of the word entities? • The definition is right there - separate,

discrete items. • But what is the meaning of discrete? • The meaning of that word is right there

too--separate.

Antonyms Strategy

• Check for an antonym clue. If you find one, think about its meaning, actually telling yourself the opposite meaning. Then reread the sentence and rephrase it in your own mind.

Antonym Example

• "I was not exactly enamored of the travel plans my agent made for me; my lack of enthusiasm was triggered by the eight-hour layover required between flights."

• What is the meaning of the word enamored?• You can use the context of the sentence to

reason in this way: Enamored of means just the opposite of lacking in enthusiasm for.

Substitution Strategy

• Step 1: When you read a sentence that you have trouble understanding because of an unfamiliar word in it, reread the sentence and substitute a word that seems to make sense in the context.

• Step 2: Read on. If the word you substituted does not make sense in the context of the rest of the paragraph, try again.

• Step 3: If the sentence still does not make sense to you and you do not understand the main point the author is making in the paragraph, look for synonym, definition, and antonym clues. If you are still uncertain, check a dictionary.

Substitution Example

• "When we stayed at the military base, each Saturday we went to the commissary to buy the food and supplies we would need for the next week."

• Given the use of the word in this sentence, you immediately can substitute the word store for the word commissary. You probably can wrestle an even more complete meaning for commissary from the overall context of the sentence: a store for food and supplies that is located on a military base.

Multiple Meanings Strategy• As you have learned, a basic strategy for unlocking the

meaning of an unfamiliar word is to search the context of the sentence in which a new word appears for clues. This is especially important when a word has multiple meanings that you already know and you must decide the particular one that applies.

• Step 1: Check the context for clues: definitions and synonyms given "right there" as well as words of opposite meaning - antonyms.

• Step 2: Substitute each meaning you know in the context of the sentence until you find one that makes good sense there. (Hennings, p. 48)

You Practice• With your group,

complete the following:– Read the words and

definitions you were given.

– Create sentences in which each word is used in context. Try to write interesting or funny sentences, but keep it appropriate.

– You must use all types of context clues at least once.

• Format each sentence like this:– Word (don’t write the

definition)– Type of Context Clue– Sentence with word and

context clue– Leave room for someone

to write their guessed definition