Types of Context Clues: Different Types of Clues Explained With Examples to Help Students Determine Word Meanings

Trent Lorcher
Categories : High school english lesson plans grades 9 12
Tags : High school lesson plans & tips

Page content

After teaching different types of context clues to my classes, I felt good. They were able to identify examples of definition and restatement, example, and comparison. But it wasn’t enough. They still lacked skills with three different types of context clues: contrast, cause and effect, and inference from general context.

Contrast

Context may reveal the meaning of a word through contrast as in this example:

Unlike the <em>apoplectic</em> parent shouting imprecations at the administrator, Mr. Wallaby stood still, enjoying the unexpected entertainment.

In this sentence, the word unlike signals a contrast between stood still and apoplectic. Even if the reader does not know what apoplectic means, he or she can figure out the parent was moving wildly, uncontrollably.

Other signal words for contrast include:

but
although
on the contrary
on the other hand
dissimilar
on the other hand
in contrast to
however

Cause and Effect

The cause of an action may be stated using an unfamiliar word. However, if the effect is stated in familiar words, the reader can infer its meaning.

His lack of sagacity caused him to make one stupid decision after another.
The intrepid warrior led the assault on the well guarded fortress.

The word sagacity may be unfamiliar to many readers. Understanding that the lack of it causes one to make stupid decisions, a discerning reader quickly infers that sagacity means wisdom. Knowing the intrepid warrior led an assault most would not dare helps the sagacious reader infer that intrepid means fearless.

Words signaling cause and effect include:

because
since
consequently
therefore
when
as a result.

Lesson Ideas

Make identifying the type of context clue part of the context clues challenge.
Instruct students to write new vocabulary words with different types of context clues.
Have students identify types of context clues on standardized tests.

Not all clues are as obvious as the ones we’ve discussed, nor can they be tested with simple questions. Often, readers must read more than just the sentence or two surrounding the word. Sometimes a group of words several sentences away may unlock the meaning. Sometimes the supporting details in a paragraph must be examined together to help the reader infer the meaning of a particular word. This is called inference from general context.

For teaching how to infer meaning from general context, I recommend modeling.

Find a standards based language arts curriculum map with links to a semester’s worth of lesson plans, handouts, and powerpoints on Brighthub.com.

This post is part of the series: Effective Vocabulary Instruction

Increasing student vocabulary enhances their ability to communicate effectively.