What Are Reading Context Clues?
To do this, you can either look at the word itself, trying to break down the components into bits you think you understand, or you can look at context. Context is the setting in which you find the word and reading context clues are the bits of information you can pick up about an unknown word from the surrounding context. Look at the words before and after the strange word and see if you can find the context clues that will help you to understand it.
Here’s an example of context clues at work:
“As the king entered his throne room, obsequious attendants bowed before him while keeping an eye out for anything he might need. Each wanted to be the first to provide any service, real or imagined, that his highness might want.”
Let’s assume you don’t know what the word “obsequious” means. What are your clues?
- An important person is present. In this case, a king.
- People showed how important they thought he was. They bowed.
- They were also very attentive. They wanted to be the first to provide any service.
Already, the meaning of the word is starting to take shape. These people are almost overly attentive to their masters’ needs. They are using exaggerated types of conduct to demonstrate how important they think their king is. Could this be the meaning of “obsequious?” Let’s go to the dictionary definition.
“Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.”
Alright, our understanding of the word wasn’t quite as succinct as that, but it’s still correct.
Oh no! Don’t you know what the word “succinct” means? Let’s look at the context. We discussed the meaning of a definition at length. Then we found the dictionary definition, and it was rather brief by comparison. Context clues are at work. What’s the definition of “succinct?” Is it something short?
“Briefly or clearly expressed”
Ta-dah! My erudition knows no limits! I am so clever that I might even call myself a genius.
Noooo! Another seldomly-used word has appeared on the scene. What is the context? You can certainly see I was pleased with my own cleverness. Clues following the word include the words “clever” and “genius.” Could I be patting myself on the back for being too clever by half? Let’s check:
“The quality of having or showing great learning; scholarship.” Yup! I was being insufferably pleased with my own smarts.
This time, I’ve left very few clues. However, I have just bragged like crazy. I’ve also been pleased with myself, and I think I have “smarts.” How do we normally feel about people who are ridiculously self-satisfied? It’s irritating, isn’t it? Let’s check.
“Not to be endured, intolerable, unbearable”
That was pretty close, wasn’t it?
Check Words Both Before and After to Get Context
What ideas led up to the unfamiliar word? What ideas followed it? It’s just like being a crime-scene investigator. Just looking at what’s happening before the word may not give you the full context, and the same thing goes for just looking at the words that follow it. Sometimes, the clues happen before the fact. Sometimes they appear after the fact, and sometimes, they’ll be in both places.
A Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing
There’s just one problem with playing detective using context clues. You could be wrong. It’s also possible to be almost right without quite being wrong, but unfortunately “almost right” isn’t always good enough.
Although context clues can be extremely helpful when confronting an unusual word in a situation where you can’t check a dictionary or search online, you should make a note of the new word and check it later to see if you understood it correctly. If your context clues helped you get it right, you’re going to feel good. If you almost got it right, you’ll be reasonably pleased, and if you got it all wrong (an unlikely scenario, but a possible one nonetheless) you’ll have learned something new.
Extra Context Clue Tips
Look for synonyms (words that mean the same thing)
“I was remorseful and sorry.”
Look for antonyms (opposites)
“I was ecstatic, but everyone else was miserable.”
Look for words that define or explain the idea
“Tangible evidence – the footprints at the window, the fingerprints on the knife – helped police to catch the culprit.”
Look for explanations
“I was very despondent because I failed my exam.”
Look for comparisons
“I am perplexed by crosswords, but I find Sudoku easy.”
(Photo courtesy of camerazn)
Context clues a difficult for me to pick up on. I’m not good at deciphering things that aren’t said to me in code which is what context clues seems to be doing. Why don’t people just write what they mean. That would be a lot easier.
They do write what they mean. The problem is if you don’t know the meaning of a word they use. You have two choices:
1. Look up the meaning in the dictionary.
2. Use context clues to figure out what it means.
If you aren’t good at context clues, then use the dictionary.
The thing that I love about context clues is that when you get really good at it, you don’t even realize that you’re using the clues in the writing to figure out what words mean. It’s kind of like a game that you get so good at that you automatically react, but in this instance your brain does the automatic reaction and gives you the meaning of a word you don’t even know. It’s all pretty amazing if you take the time to think about it.
I understand with context clues are, but is there a way to practice them? Besides just picking up a book and start reading and then trying to figure out words that you don’t understand, is there someplace I can go to practice trying to figure out the context clues sort of like what you did in this article? Like a quiz or something?
Thank you for really good tips on learning a foreign language. I will definitely follow them))